LOOKING every inch the star of the show in her aptly-colored gold dress, Hidilyn F. Diaz proudly accepted her third Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Athlete of the Year accolade and fondly recalled how a dream pushed her to this path of excellence.
The same dream, the country’s first Olympic champion in history maintained, that could fuel her fellow Pinoy athletes moving forward to the next big battles.
“Naalala ko noon, pangarap ko lang dating makapunta dito sa PSA awards (rites). Little did I know na pangatlo (AOY recognition) ko na ngayon. Talagang walang imposible, ano?” Ms. Diaz said to applause from her fellow awardees, sports officials and attendees of the prestigious affair that returned to a face-to-face setting on Monday night at the Diamond Hotel.
“Ibig sabihin lang nito ay walang imposible at kaya nating mga Pilipino na manalo ng gold medal sa Olympics. Kung nagawa ko, kaya ng iba pang athletes. Sinimulan kong mangarap hanggang sa ginawan ko ng paraan para matupad ang ambisyon kong makakuha ng gold sa Olympics.”
The 31-year-old Ms. Diaz made way for the Philippines’ best showing in nearly a decade of Olympic participation in 2021 when she copped the coveted mint in the -55kg category in Tokyo.
Ms. Diaz was the perfect embodiment of a prospect who relentlessly pursued her dreams amid several setbacks, including an embarrassing campaign in the 2012 Games, financial limitations and the difficulties of training in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) times and succeeded.
“Hindi puwedeng walang pagsubok kasi yun ang magpapatibay sa atin. Okay lang kung ilang beses magkamali, ilang beses matalo. Ang mahalaga natututo tayo at bumabangon,” said the pride of Zamboanga, who was also bestowed the Milo Champion of Grit and Glory award.
“Kayang-kaya natin ito at naniniwala ako na marami pang Pilipino ang mananalo sa Olympics.”
Ms. Diaz was joined in the glitzy night by 38 other achievers, including Tokyo silver medalists Nesthy A. Petecio and Carlo Paalam and bronze medalist Eumir Felix D. Marcial, represented by his wife, Princess.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Bambol Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez were feted as Executive of the Year and Excellent in Leadership awardee, respectively.
“Ito po ay dedicated para sa athletes, coaches and officials. Nagsisimula pa lang po tayo. Mahaba pa po ang ating tatahakin. We have to move on,” said Mr. Tolentino.
“I am blessed to have been given the chance to be part of these milestones as one of the elders of these excellent Filipino athletes,” said Mr. Ramirez.
“It is my ardent prayer that while we bask in the glory of these achievements, we also keep in mind, and hopefully in our hearts, the more valuable wins sports taught us along the way – character, values and fortitude in spirit.”