By CARLO ANOLIN
Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is slowly getting back to her training groove after contracting COVID-19 almost a month ago.
“After two weeks of heavy training, medyo lumakas na. Medyo naka-recover na after COVID (After two weeks of heavy training, I’m slowly getting stronger, slowly getting there since COVID),” said Diaz after being recognized by her school De La Salle-College of St. Benilde at the Benilde Sports and Dormitory Complex in Pasay City.
Last Jan. 12, Diaz announced that she tested positive for COVID-19.
“After holidays, kasi siempre holidays, then may mga days na ‘di nakakapag-training. Tapos pagdating dito, COVID isolation. Medyo mahirap ‘yong pagbalik [sa training] pero nakabalik naman na. Medyo nandoon na ‘yong lakas.”
Diaz recalled that she experienced different symptoms for three days but it wasn’t clear if the lady weightlifter caught the Omicron variant.
After a short period of time, the 30-year-old Zamboanga native lifter went back to training and said it was her way to ease uncertainty and anxiety from the COVID-19 experience.
Diaz is expected to return to action when she competes in the postponed 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in May.
Diaz preferably wants to continue her training camp here in the Philippines in the hopes of influencing the younger generation to try weightlifting as well as to give motivation to fellow national athletes.
Coach Julius Naranjo, also Diaz’s fiance, said holding a training camp in Malaysia anew would be an option for Team HD should Hidilyn face difficulties training in the Philippines.
The Olympic gold medalist will be joining a national meet qualifiers in Bacolod City next month.
