Manila, Philippines, March 7, 2023: Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz picked up her fourth Athlete of the Year award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association at the annual awards night at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on Monday, March 6.
The Tokyo 2020 weightlifting champion won the PSA Athlete of the Year award for the second straight year – and said all her efforts were now focused on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“So happy to be back together, seeing and sharing stories with friends, fellow athletes and sports officials,” Diaz posted on Facebook.
“Receiving my award from PSA means a lot to me because I thought it was over after the Tokyo Olympics.
“But here I am today, still representing my sport and being recognised as a female athlete in weightlifting - and we will continue the fight for the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics.”
With International Women’s Day falling on Wednesday, March 8, Hidilyn added: “At the same time of women's month, we got to know the greatness and abilities of us women. I believe that we Filipinos possess strength, intelligence, beauty and courage.
“Congratulations to all fellow athletes and sports officials who received an award and to all #womeninsports, Happy Women’s Month!”
Diaz, the 2018 Asian Games champion, won the silver medal at Rio 2016 and made history by winning the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020. She was accompanied at the awards by her coach and husband, Julius Naranjo.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino was named Executive of the Year.
“Grateful and honored to be named Executive of the Year for the second straight year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association,” he said.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of POC - Philippine Olympic Committee - Olympic.PH and all of the men and women who work tirelessly for Philippine Sports.
“Thank you, PSA for this recognition and to all the athletes, coaches and sports fans who inspire us every day. We look forward in continuing the support to our national athletes in the years to come as it should be. Congratulations to all the awardees, let us continue to strive for greatness.”
The other awardees were: Athletics - Lydia De Vega, posthumous Hall of Fame, and Elma Muros-Posadas, Lifetime Achievement Award; tennis player Alex Eala, President’s Award; Carlos Yulo (gymnastics), EJ Obiena (athletics), Philippine women’s football team, Carlo Paalam (boxing), Meggie Ochoa and Kimberly Anne Custodio (jiu-jitsu), Junna Tsukii (karate), Rubilen Amit, Carlo Biado and Johann Chua (pool), Vanessa Sarno (weightlifting), Jovelyn Gonzaga and Sisi Rondina (volleyball), Esports organization Blacklist International, and jockey Jessie Guce and champion horse Boss Emong.
Major Awards: Scottie Thompson, Mr. Basketball; Sarina Bolden, Ms. Football.