
A children's book recently featured Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, recounting the life and journey of the top Filipino weightlifter to greatness.
Diaz unveiled on Wednesday the book titled 'Ginto’t Pilak' in the hopes of spreading awareness of the sport and providing inspiration amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This is one of my WHY’s in life, before I won the silver medal for the Philippines at the 2016 Rio Olympics, I didn’t give up on my preparation for Olympics because of the younger generation," the 29-year-old Diaz wrote on her Facebook page.
"I wanted to build a Weightlifitng gym for them, I built it, but what I want is to give them the inspiration to continue with their dream in weightlifting. I came from nothing to eventually becoming a silver medalist. We never know, one of these kids might be the next Gold Medalist."
Its foreword narrates the humble beginnings of Diaz before she became one of the world's most renowned weightlifters.
"Sa patuloy na pagsisikap at pagtitiyaga, pinatunayan ni Hidilyn na hindi lamang maaring magbuhat ng mabigat ang mga babae, maaari rin silang manalo ng mga medalyang ginto at pilak," an excerpt of the book read.
Bagging the silver medal in the Olympics was Diaz's highest feat in her career. Of course, she already has three gold medals at hand, from the the 2019 Southeast Asian Games here, the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, and the 2015 Asian Championships in Phuket, Thailand.
Diaz is currently training in Kuala Lumpur for the remaining Olympic qualifiers with Team HD -- Chinese mentor Kaiwen Gao, strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo and therapist Belen Bañas
READ: Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz clueless on 2021 events
Published by Anvil, 'Ginto't Pilak' was written by Diaz herself along with Eugene Evasco and illustrated by Tristan Yuvienco.