CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received weightlifting equipment from Olympic Gold Medalist and Philippine Air Force Staff Sergeant Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo on Friday, September 23.
The donation was in partnership with the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) headed by its president, Mr Monico Puentevella. It aims to promote weightlifting events among AFP personnel and their dependents with an end view of developing more future world-class soldier-athletes.
Major General Adriano S Perez Jr, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel who represented the AFP Chief of Staff officially received the donations.
“These new weightlifting equipment shall further enhance the fitness facilities of the General Headquarters and the Major Service Special Service offices in line with our donor’s intent to integrate weightlifting into the AFP-PNP-PCG Olympics. Hopefully, this endeavour shall pave the way for more Olympic medals courtesy of our soldier-athletes,” Major General Perez said.
The Office of the Special Service, AFP (OSPS, AFP), headed by Colonel Ruben Guinolbay, initiated the turnover ceremony at the General Headquarters Canopy in Camp Aguinaldo.
Present in the activity was Julius Naranjo, coach and husband of SSg Diaz, who was instrumental in the Olympian’s victories and benevolent donation.
The OSPS, AFP and the Special Service units of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army were the beneficiaries of the donated equipment. Among which were sets of rubber bumper plates, rubber fractional plates, fractional plates, men and women’s lifting bar, and platform.
Staff Sergeant Diaz is the first Filipino to ever win an Olympic Gold Medal during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held in July to August 2021.
The multi-awarded weightlifting champion is currently assigned with the Philippine Air Force Civil-Military Group stationed at Camp Jesus Villamor Airbase Gymnasium, Pasay City. She was placed on Detached Service with OSPS, AFP and is part of the National Pool of Athletes under the supervision of SWP. (VICTOR BALDEMOR)
