Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz acknowledged the achievement of female athletes as part of the celebration of Women's Month.
In an Instagram post, Diaz expressed her gratitude for being honored as the Athlete of the Year during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel Manila on Monday, March 6, while also congratulating fellow female athletes.
“Kasabay din women’s month, nakilala ang angking galing at kakayahan nating mga babae. Naniniwala ako na tayong mga Filipina ay may angking lakas, talino, kagandahan at katapangan," Diaz wrote.
“Congratulations sa lahat ng mga kapwa atleta at sports officials na nakatanggap ng award at sa lahat ng #womeninsports, Happy Women’s Month!”
It was the second straight and fourth overall recognition for Diaz in the annual awards rites following her successful campaign at the world championships in Bogota, Colombia last December where she bagged three gold medals.
Diaz, who also won the country's first gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said her goals are far from over as she sets her sights in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Yung pagtanggap ng award ko mula sa PSA ay malaking bagay sa akin dahil akala ko tapos na after Tokyo Olympics. Pero, heto ako ngayon, nakikilala pa rin ang ang sport ko at nare-recognize ang pagiging babaeng atleta sa weightlifting. At ipagpapatuloy pa rin natin ang laban para sa Pilipinas sa 2024 Paris Olympics," wrote Diaz.
Aside from being “Athlete of the Year," Diaz is also a recipient of the Milo Champion of Grit and Glory Award. (SONNY DAANOY, OJT)