The Filipina sports icon celebrates some major events in her life.
Last July 26, the Philippines’ weightlifting superstar Hidilyn Diaz celebrated the fifth anniversary of her momentous win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan, which was held on the same day in 2021.
“Happy 5th anniversary sa atin sa first gold medal natin sa Olympics–ang bilis ng panahon!” she wrote in a post on social media. “Salamat sa pagkakataon binalikan ko ang pagpapanalo ko sa Olympics. Napakaproud maging Filipino!“
It was on the said day that she ended the country’s 97-year-long drought for an Olympic gold medal when she clinched it during the said edition.
Meanwhile, on a personal note, Hidilyn shared that she also celebrates two more important occasions on the same date—the anniversary of her relationship with her coach, turned husband, Julius Naranjo and thr opening of their weightlifting gym.
“Happy 4th anniversary, samin ni [Julius] – Salamat for choosing me every day, and so grateful to have you in my life. I love you and I pray to God for us every day,” she shared.
Diaz furthered, “Happy 2nd anniversary, @hdweightliftingacademy – it’s a very ambitious dream with my husband but a very fulfilling one to see young athletes realize their dream through weightlifting.”
She also expressed how thankful she is for all lessons and experiences they have gained after building the academy.
It was then when she teased that they will have “more exciting news and activities soon,” which are all part of her growth as an athlete, lecturer, wife, furmom, and businesswoman.
“We celebrate this beautiful day by cooking and serving our friends and family,” she also revealed.
Apart from being an Olympic gold medalist and member of the Philippine Air Force, Hidilyn was also tapped as an instructor at the College of Human Kinetics (CHK) of the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD) last January.
Diaz-Naranjo handled two PE 2 sections in weightlifting for the second semester of AY 2025-2026.
She also partnered with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2025 under the grassroots sports development program in schools, which aimed to raise the next generation of athletes in the country.
