PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan -- Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo feels a sense of nostalgia as she watches young weightlifters, including her niece Reynadine Marie Jimenez, compete in the 2024 Batang Pinoy Championship here.

After all, this was where she got her first taste of competition back then as a young, aspiring lifter from Zamboanga City.

“First competition ko ay Batang Pinoy 2002 dito rin sa Puerto Princesa,” Diaz recalled. “Nung time na yon, ako lang mag-isa sa category ko, so automatic gold na ako.”

So much has changed over the last 22 years. Not only did Diaz carve her name in history books as the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, but her victory also helped boost the popularity of the sport particularly to young ones from the provinces.

So much so that Diaz noted more lifters are competing in this grassroots competition compared for the first time she set foot here.

“Ngayon, nakikita na namin na lumalaki na ang sport. Ngayon, marami na silang nagko-compete dito, so grateful ako and also hopeful na mas dumami pang atleta, mas makita nila na ang competition dito maganda, then they set their standards sa international and Olympics,” said Diaz.

“Masaya akong makita yung mga bata na they love what they’re doing. They love the sports. Nakikita ko yung friendship within the team,” she added.

As part of the coaching staff of the Rizal team and founder of the HD Weightlifting Academy with her husband Julius Naranjo, Diaz said they are more than happy to impart their knowledge to the young aspirants.

“We just look forward na magawa nila ang best nila,” said Diaz. “Ayokong i-pressure yung medals sa kanila. Proud na ako na andito sila, at enjoyin at the same time.”