By MARK REY MONTEJO
Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo accomplished another feat in her new career, completing the Athlete Career Transition Sports Ethics and Integrity (ACTSI) short course at KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) in Belgium.
Diaz, who delivered the country’s first-ever golden honor in Olympics after winning in women’s 55kg category, received a certificate from one the oldest universities in the globe and obtained better understanding in Equality, inclusion diversity; Good governance; Sport Integrity; Anti-Doping; and Safe Sport.
The brief study is under KU Leuven in partnership with International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity for Olympians who aim to learn more about ethics, integrity policies and sport practices.
A fitting knowledge that could help weightlifter Diaz who now focuses on coaching grassroots talents especially from those who came from her hometown Zamboanga City.
She joined the class alongside former Olympians from across the world.
Earlier this year, the 33-year-old Diaz tried to make it five in a row in the quadrennial meet. However, she fell short to compatriot Elreen Ando in the women’s -59kg class which eventually broke her Olympic streak.
Diaz is considered as one of the greatest Filipino athletes after winning in multiple local and international competitions including the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, SEA Games and many more.
Aside from her sporting accolades, Diaz is a proud member of Philippine Air Force where she holds Second Lieutenant rank. She is a receiver as well as Military Merit Medal and Presidential Citation Unit Badge.
Diaz started her humble beginnings way back in 2002 Batang Pinoy in Puerto Princesa then became part of the national weightlifting team at the age of 13.
