By MARK MONTEJO

Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo added another feather to her cap after graduating from college at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde on Saturday, July 22.

The Tokyo Olympics gold medalist shared her recent feat on social media, proudly posing with her toga after earning her degree in business administration, major in management.

Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo poses for the camera during her graduation rites. (Hidilyn Diaz Facebook)

Like her long journey to capturing the Olympic gold medal, obtaining her degree was also an arduous one – 16 years in the making, to be exact.

She couldn't help but turn emotional during her graduation rites, looking back at all the hardships she went through while juggling her studies and training for weightlifting competitions.

“Nakakaiyak din pala. Not an ordinary day. Inabot din ng 16 years, nag-shift ng courses, nag-transfer ng school, nag-LOA dahil ang hirap pagsabayin ang pagwe-weightlifting at pag-aaral,” Diaz wrote on social media.

Now a degree holder and the country's only gold medalist, Diaz admitted it was a scene she could only imagine in her dreams -- especially now, that she's also in the middle of another bid for the Olympics in Paris.

“Dreaming of graduating from college and earning a degree while preparing for the Olympics. Hindi ko akalain na magagawa ko, after sleepless nights and tiring days from training while attending school at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. Posible pala,” she said.

She also encouraged her fellow student-athletes to push through with their studies despite the challenges in life.

"Kung nakaya ko, kaya ng mga student-athletes, at mga bata at sa lahat na gusto makapagtapos, age doesn’t matter, mahirap pero super worth it." she added.

"I never imagined reaching this point. But here I stand."