Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, admitted on Wednesday, October 27, that her win in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics did change her life and those around her.

“Para sa akin aaminin ko na binago ng pagkapanalo ko ng gold medal ang buhay ko, ang buhay ng pamilya ko, at ni Julius as well.

“Kasi s’yempre after winning the gold medal, alam mo ‘yon, ang daming binigay po. Siguro mga 90% naibigay po. So thank you po sa lahat,” she said during her launch as BDO Unibank’s newest ambassador.

The rewards she received were unexpected as she stressed that she only competed for her passion for weightlifting and to inspire the younger Filipinos.

“Sa totoo lang hindi ko ‘yon in-expect. Kasi nga ginagawa ko ang sports na ito dahil sa pagmamahal sa sports and ginagamit ang talent ko na ito to inspire the Filipino and the youth to join sports lalung-lalo na noong pandemic.”

However, despite receiving a plethora of money and other incentives from becoming a gold medalist, Diaz reiterated that it did not change her as a person.

“Gusto ko lang sabihin is nabago ang buhay ko pero hindi ang puso ko. Ganoon pa rin. Bumabalik pa rin ako sa buhay ko, yung pagmamahal ko sa sports, at bumabalik ako sa basic.”

Apart from that, Diaz also revealed her plan to further promote weightlifting in the Philippines—through her Hidilyn Weightlifting Academy.

“Gusto ko lang pong i-share na kung gusto kong palawigin ang weightlifting, kailangan kong itayo yung Hidilyn Weightlifting Academy tapos parang may satellite na academy. Para naman mai-share sa iba ang weightlifting,” she revealed.

“Kasi para sa lahat ang weightlifting eh, walang pinipiling size. You just really need love, hard work, dedication.”

The 30-year old Olympiad also aims to educate her fellow athletes when it comes to financial literacy.

“Gusto kong i-share yung blessings ko, experiences at mga learnings ko na mahalaga din ang sports sa nation building and education.

“Marami kasi akong nakita at narinig na mga atleta na, after ng career nila, walang silang naipundar o naipon.

“Nakakalungkot kaya ayokong makitang mangyari yon sa akin at sa mga kapwa ko atleta.

“Mahalaga kasing i-increase ang awareness on financial education sa mga kapwa ko atleta kasi hindi naman habang buhay din kaming nasa sports,” expressed Diaz.

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