Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo juggles busy schedule as she targets consistency for SEA Games

Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo may have missed out on the Paris Olympics, but the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist isn’t slowing down. 

At 34, she remains committed to competing — this time with her eyes set on the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December, where she will enter the women’s 58-kilogram division.

“I’m preparing for the SEA Games. Maglalaro po ako sa SEA Games ngayong December. Again, depende sa Philippine delegation, pero maglalaro po ako,” Diaz-Naranjo said.

For the celebrated weightlifter, the motivation has always been bigger than medals.

“Bumabalik ako parati sa why. It’s always to represent my country and doing my best for the Philippines in weightlifting and also to inspire young Filipinos,” she added.

The four-time SEA Games medalist — with two golds in the 55kg class and two silvers in the 58kg — is now balancing preparations for competition with her many off-the-platform responsibilities. She coaches young lifters for Batang Pinoy, gives motivational talks, and works on grassroots sports development, all while carving out time for her own training.

“Yes, [I’m] very busy. Pero ayun nga, kung may tinatarget ka, you prioritize training kahit saan ka man. Kaya tinatanong ko talaga sa hotel kung may gym ba sila. Baka pwede akong mag-training doon. Then, mag-training ako kahit saan akong lugar,” she explained.

She admits, though, that coaching alongside training is not easy.

“Second is, hindi ko sinasabayan na training and coaching… So, marami sila. 40, minsan 15 sa isang session. Tapos magkasama kami. So, biglang sira yung training ko. So, minsan nag-training ako before or after nila para makapag-focus ako,” Diaz-Naranjo shared.

With less than three months to go before the SEA Games, consistency is her biggest goal — both in preparation and recovery. 

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Filipina weightlifting icon Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo balances her personal advocacies while preparing for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in December.

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“Actually, mga last two weeks, medyo hindi pa ako prepared. Pero ngayon, pine-prepare ko na yung mindset ko. So, every week, may mental training na. Magkakaroon ng mental training,” she said.

“Then, sa training continuous na, consistent sa training. And then, para hindi ma-injury, kasi parati ako na-injured. Kasi nga maraming, sobrang busy din, training agad. So, kailangan, kahit busy, training pa rin para consistent ang training. Then, pagkain,” she added.

When asked how close she feels to peak form, she admitted she’s still in the process of building up.

“How [prepared?] Sorry to say, nasa 70 pa lang. So, restart ako. Nag-ttraining ako, pero iba yung talagang from mag-start ako sa anong ginawa ko nung sa Olympics. So, to focus again,” said Diaz-Naranjo, who made her competitive return in June at the National Weightlifting Championships in Dumaguete, where she placed second.

Though happy with the silver, she confessed it left her unsatisfied.

“Actually, sobrang busy din nung time na yun because ako yung tournament director ng Palarong Pambansa demo sports. So, we have to do the competitions. We have to lead the technical officials also. So, masaya ko. At least, nakapag-perform ako,” she said.

“Nung June, sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na bare minimum lang gagawin ko. Pero after nung snatch, clean and jerk, umiiyak ako. Sabi ko, hindi ako ganito. Hindi pwede ganito lang ang bubuhatin ko. I have to do my best. Kasi andiyan mga bata nanonood sa akin. Hindi pwede hindi ako magbubuhat ng best ko,” she added.

Looking beyond the SEA Games, Diaz-Naranjo has hinted that the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics could be her swan song — though nothing is set in stone.

“Actually, depende. Depende sa kung anong bodyweight na ilalabas ng IWF [International Weightlifting Federation] para sa Olympics. So, medyo hindi ko pa alam kung anong mangyayari sa LA 2028,” she explained.

“For now, SEA Games muna, then enjoy it. For me, kasi mas importante na-eenjoy ko yung sports. Kasi mahirap kung, mahirap yung nag-ttraining ako, then hindi ko mahal ang ginagawa ko,” she said.

Beyond the medals and competitions, her personal life and family dreams are also part of the bigger picture.

“Actually, talagang ito yung sinasabi ko parati na sana may baby na. Pero hindi siya pwedeng sabihin lang eh. God’s will talaga. We’re trying, pero hindi siya ganun kadali. And for now, focus muna kami sa SEA Games,” Diaz-Naranjo shared.

For now, the focus is on Thailand this December — and ensuring that even with a packed schedule, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo remains consistent, competitive, and committed to the sport she continues to love.

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