After 4th PSA Athlete of the Year award, Hidilyn Diaz hopes for another shot at Olympic gold in Paris

There's no stopping Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist.

After four Olympic appearances, one gold (2021) and one silver (2016) medal from weightlifting, Diaz hopes to have one more shot at the Summer Games set to be held in Paris in 2024.

"Sa susunod na taon, Olympics ulit at gagawin ko ang lahat para makuha ulit ang gintong medalya sa Paris Olympics," Diaz said as she received her fourth Athlete of the Year award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association on Monday.

"At sana makabalik ulit dito sa susunod na taon para sa ikalimang Athlete of the Year award. Manifesting for weightlifting and for the Philippines."

("Next year, it will be the Olympics again and I will do everything I can to win another gold medal at the Paris Olympics... And hopefully, I can come back here and win a fifth Athlete of the Year award. Manifesting for weightlifting and for the Philippines.")

Diaz also shared how grateful she was as she reaps the rewards of the sacrifices she made for weightlifting.

"Para sakin napakalaking bagay na bumalik ulit sa pagbubuhat at ibigay ko ang lahat para sa sports para sa Pilipinas. Sobrang thankful ako kasi nagbunga lahat ng sacrifices at juggling ng weightlifting training, studies ko, being a military athlete, as a wife of my husband Julius Naranjo," she said.

("For me, it's such a big thing to be able to return to weightlifting and to give my all for Philippine sports. I am very thankful because all of the sacrifices I made, juggling weightlifting training, my studies, being a military athlete, and wife of my husband Julius Naranjo, it all bore fruit.")

"It shows that if you really want something, you work hard for it and you are surrounded by people supporting you, you can achieve great things in life."

Diaz was previously named as Athlete of the Year in 2017, 2019, and 2022.

Other big awardees include US Open junior girls champion Alex Eala (President's Award), the late Lydia de Vega (Hall of Fame), Elma Muros (Lifetime Achievement Award), Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (NSA of the Year), POC chief Abraham Tolentino (Executive of the Year), Scottie Thompson (Mr. Basketball), and Sarina Bolden (Ms. Football).

Some legendary sportswriters such as the late Joe Antonio and Ernie Gonzales were also given the PSA Special Award, while veteran sportswriters Eddie Alinea, Percy Dello, Jun Engracia, Ding Marcelo, Al Mendoza, and Recah Trinidad were awarded the Lifetime Award in Sports Journalism.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News