Hidilyn Diaz finishes college from Benilde

Filipino Olympic gold medalist and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz added another feather in her cap as she finished college from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Diaz graduated on Saturday with a degree in business management from the NCAA member school.

In a social media post, Diaz shared some of her thoughts on her newest feat.

"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 in the caption of her post.

"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. 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."

(It's emotional. Not an ordinary day. It took me 16 years from shifting courses, transferring schools, taking a leave of absence because of juggling weightlifting and studies.

Dreaming of graduating from college and earning a degree while preparing for the Olympics. I did not expect I will be able to do it, after sleepless nights and tiring days from training while attending school at De La Salle - College of St. Benilde.  It's possible. If I did it, any other student-athletes could. To those kids who want to finish, age doesn't matter. It's hard but it's worth it.) 

Aside from finishing her degree, Benilde also recognized Diaz back in 2022 with The Benilde Medallion which is "the highest expression of institutional recognition and appreciation of individuals or institutions for their extraordinary achievements and contributions."

Diaz is continuing her training as she hopes to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News