EVERYBODY'S darling Hidilyn Diaz still could not believe that her dream of becoming a Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Athlete of the Year awardee has been fulfilled.
She received her trophy at the Le Pavilion in Pasay City Monday evening, February 13, adding another feather on her growing collection of achievements highlighted by a weightlifting silver medal finish in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“Pangarap ko lang to pero ngayon hawak-hawak ko na. Ginalingan ko kaya nakuha ko ang goal ko (It was just a dream but now I have it. I did my best that’s why I achieved my goal),” she wrote on her Facebook after the annual awards night.
She also shared about attending the PSA Awards Night last year.
“Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na next year ako naman ang magiging athlete of the year. Di ba? Natupad pangarap ko. Walang imposible basta naniniwala tayo sa sarili natin at na may plano si God sa atin. Disiplina at tiyaga din kailangan ng isang atleta (I told myself that next year I will be the athlete of the year. And my dream came true. Nothing is impossible when you believe in yourself and in God’s plans. Discipline and perseverance are what an athlete needs),” the 25-year-old native of Baranga Mampang in Zamboanga City added.
She also thanked PSA, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Weightlifting Association, Philippine Air Force, Zamboanga City Government, her friends, teammates, coaches, family and God for her new accomplishment.
“Salamat po ulit sa award na to, malaking bagay 'to sakin (Once again, thank you for this award, it’s a big thing for me),” she said.
The Rio Olympians, including boxer Charly Suarez of Sawata, Davao del Norte, were also given citation for representing the country to the Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Incheon Asian Games silver medalist Suarez, in a Facebook chat Tuesday, said he's happy for the citation that he received although. He also got a handful of PSA awards in the past.
Suarez also said, “Balik Baguio na mi kay training (We're back in Baguio City for training).”
Reigning International Boxing Federation World Super Flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, who hails from Panabo City, was also cited in the event presented by San Miguel and Milo.
