Hidilyn Diaz still hungry for more as she trains for SEA Games qualification

The journey does not stop for the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz, as she returns to training to aim for a slot in the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Diaz said she has regained some of her strength and recovered after taking a break during the holidays and testing positive for COVID-19.

"Ngayon medyo, base sa sinabi ni coach Julius [Naranjo], after two weeks of heavy training, medyo lumakas na ako, medyo nakarecover na after COVID and the holidays," Diaz said on Tuesday after being recognized by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Naranjo is Diaz' strength and conditioning coach and also her fiance.

"Medyo mahirap magbalik pero nakabalik naman ngayon. Medyo nandun na 'yung lakas."

(After two weeks of heavy training, coach Julius said I'm stronger now, I somehow regained my strength and recovered from COVID and the holiday [rest]. I had a hard time returning to training but I'm getting there. The strength is somehow there.)

Diaz said the plan for Team HD is to prepare first for the SEA Games qualification in March, and once qualified, she will intensify her training for the Hanoi Games.

With a stellar career, having already won gold in the SEA Games, Asian Games, and even the Olympics, does the fire keep burning for Diaz?

"Gutom na gutom pa rin. Ginagawa ko ito kasi mahal ko 'yung sport," shared Diaz. "Kahit masabi na nanalo na ako ng gold sa Olympics, hindi ibig sabihin na mag-stop na ako. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin dahil ito ang gusto kong gawin."

(I'm hungry for more. I'm doing this because I love the sport. Even if I have won the gold, it does not mean I will stop. I will continue because this is what I want to do.)

Diaz won the gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games and the 2019 edition of the SEA Games.

—JMB, GMA News