By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo is beginning a new chapter in her life as she announced her plans to teach at the University of the Philippines-College of Human Kinetics.
In a social media post, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist shared that she has met with the university’s College Executive Board to prepare for her upcoming teaching duty. m
“It’s a new path, a level-up opportunity to become a lecturer at UP CHK!” Diaz wrote.
“When they asked, ‘Why teach?’ I said, ‘Because I want to keep learning, and I hope my students will learn from me too,” she added.
Diaz said it has always been her dream to design a curriculum that would promote weightlifting in the country.
“I love weightlifting, and I’ll keep doing my best to grow and share the sport I love,” she wrote.
“Can’t wait to meet my future students and co-faculty members. Thank you, UP, for welcoming me and believing in what I can share. Excited to start this new journey,” she added.
Based on her post, Diaz would most likely start her teaching engagement in January 2026.
Diaz has remained active in the sport alongside her husband and coach, Julius Naranjo, through the HD Weightlifting Academy, a non-profit grassroots initiative and elite weightlifting training center.
It can be recalled that Diaz won the country’s first gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Prior to that, she bagged the silver in the 2016 Rio Games.
