Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo went to Cebu last week and distributed weightlifting equipment to four weightlifting gyms as part of her mission to give back to the sport.
After completing Phase 1 and 2 of her donations that benefited the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) late last month and three local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila early this month, the recipients this time for Phase 3 are weightlifters from Cebu.
“It’s 660 days before Paris Olympics, nakumpleto namin ang Phase 3 ng #TeamHD grassroots initiative sa Cebu. Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa mga sumusuporta at patuloy na naniniwala sa aming misyon,” said Diaz.
With the help of AirAsia, which transported the equipment from Manila to Cebu, the team of Diaz-Naranjo distributed weightlifting equipment at the Sisters of Mary Boys Town, Consolacion Weightlifting Gym, University of Cebu and the Carreta Weightlifting Gym.
Also, Mazda Cebu provided help by lending trucks for the transportation of heavy weightlifting equipment from the airport to Talisay, Consolacion, Carreta, as well as the University of Cebu. SpartPH provided support for the purchase of equipment from Diaz’s financial rewards she received following her Tokyo Olympics stint.
“Para makapagbigay kami ng medyo marami-ramimg equipment sa weightlifting community. Kagaya ng pagkapanalo ko sa Tokyo Olympics, kailangan ng team para magawa ito, at kung hindi sa kanilang lahat hindi natin ito magagawa,” Diaz said.
In Phase 1, the 31-year-old Diaz-Naranjo made donations to the AFP branches, which include the Army, Navy and Air Force.
For Phase 2, the distributions of weightlifting equipment were made in Tondo at the Manila Weightlifting Club, the Borromeo Weightlifting Club in Taguig City, and at the Dasmarinas Weightlifting Club in Dasmarinas City.
"Masaya ako na umabot na tayo sa Phase 3,” said Diaz-Naranjo.
“Dahil ito sa tulong ng coach/husband ko na si Julius Irvin Hikaru T. Naranjo na gumagabay at sumusuporta sa lahat ng programa na ginagawa niya sa akin sa training at sa aming pangarap na makilala pa ang weightlifting sa Pilipinas,” she added.