PSA will award Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo her fourth Athlete of the Year award during the PSA Awards Night in March.
Clinching the elusive IWF World Weightlifting Championships title and allowing a gold medal sweep in the women’s 55-kg class proved that Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo has a lot more left in her after bringing home the Philippines’ first gold medal.
The decorated Filipina weightlifter will again be given her rightful recognition as the Athlete of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA), her fourth in the last seven years.
According to Rappler, Diaz-Naranjo will receive the Athlete of the Year trophy during the traditional San Miguel Corporation PSA Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel on March 6.
“Hidilyn Diaz was the unanimous choice as Athlete of the Year for 2022 by the Philippine Sportswriters Association,” said PSA president and Tempo sports editor Rey Lachica.
“Her latest triumph is a testament to her being a true world-class athlete who continues to be an inspiration to the Filipino people since her historic gold medal win in the Tokyo Olympics.”
The 31-year-old’s special feat was achieved all thanks to an impressive weightlifting career that span various international events from the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, World Championship, all to the way to the Olympics, with her name already written in the stars, destined to be legendary.
Locally, Diaz-Naranjo will be joining the Philippines’ elite list of athletes who have received the award four times since 2000, after winning the award in 2016, 2018, 2021, and this year, only behind world-champion boxers Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr., said Manila Times.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao and legendary bowler Paeng Nepomuceno are tied for most Athlete of the Year wins with five each.
The gala night in March, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission and Cignal TV, will be in partnership with major backers Philippine Olympic Committee, Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino, MILO, Rain or Shine, 1Pacman Rep. Mikee Romero, Philippine Basketball Association, OKBet, and ICTSI.
Tags: #Philippineathlete, #sports, #weightlifting, #olympics