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    Hidilyn Diaz begins transition to higher weight class for Paris Games

    Mahirap pero kaya, says Olympic and world champion
    Dec 20, 2022
    hidilyn diaz bong coo

    HIDILYN Diaz-Naranjo will start training for the 2024 Paris Olympics where she’ll be compete in a higher weight class.

    The Olympic gold medalist and world champion said she’ll start familiarizing herself training and competing at the women’s 59 kg class in preparation for her fifth Olympiad.

    Diaz arrived in the country on Tuesday fresh from conquering the 55 kg class of the World Weightlifting Championships in Bogota, Colombia.

    [READ: Hidilyn completes hat-trick of gold medals at World Championships]

    The pride of Zamboanga City completed a three-gold sweep of her event, topping the snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift to finally claim the only missing piece in her gold medal collection.

    But the same weight class she dominated in Colombia will no longer be played in the Paris Olympics, forcing her to move up in weigt to the 59 kg division.

    Diaz won the country’s first-ever Olympic gold in Tokyo at 55 kg.

    “Mahirap, pero kaya. Basta naka-mindset na ako for that,” she said upon arrival from New York City, where she was feted by a Filipino organization following her triumph in the World Championships.

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      “Pinanood ko yung 59 kg. na labanan sa Colombia and nakita namin na kakayanin,” added Diaz, who works with her well-known Team HD that includes husband and trainer Julius Naranjo, psychologist Dr. Karen Trinidad, and nutritionist Jeaneth Aro.

      Diaz said Team HD will start working on her transition to a heavier weight class in 2023.

      Commissioner Bong Coo of the PSC welcomed Diaz at the airport.

      hidilyn diaz bong coo

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      “On behalf of the Filipino people, we profusely thank Hidilyn who continuously make our country proud,” said Coo. “And she has no plans of slowing down. She vows to again carry the Philippine flag in Paris.”

      Although home for the holiday season, Diaz will still be pre-occupied by training and charity work.

      Diaz said she will get back to training at a gym in San Juan, and on the 23rd, the Filipina lifter will be in Jalajala, Rizal to train with kids at the HD Academy.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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