RSA exhorts Hidilyn to go for second Olympic gold

San Miguel Corp. chief Ramon S. Ang (right) chats with Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who was accompanied by strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo (left). —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang challenged Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz to gun for another gold medal three years from now in Paris, where the Philippines will mark its 100th year of participation in the quadrennial meet.

Ang said that with momentum on her side and confidence still strong after winning the country’s very first gold medal recently, the 30-year-old weightlifter Diaz can establish another record by capturing another one in the 2024 edition scheduled in France, and, in the process, also embolden other Filipino athletes to aim higher in international competitions.

“Hidilyn is the country’s trailblazer in our successful Olympic gold medal quest. After years of heartbreaks, she came through for us and we are very thankful as a nation. We encourage her to go for another gold and inspire more athletes to believe that they can achieve more,” Ang said.

“Her victory comes at a very crucial point in our country’s history when we are grappling with a pandemic and a lot of Filipinos are looking for hope as we fight this virus and cope with the difficulties it has brought,” he added.

Ang met Diaz, a Ginebra San Miguel brand ambassador from 2019, and personally handed her a P10-million check as his personal gift for winning the gold. Aside from Diaz, boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio will receive also receive P5 million each from Ang for winning silver medals, while P2 million will go to bronze medal-winning boxer Eumir Marcial.

Ang said that despite the windfall of incentives Diaz has received, he wanted to help ensure the Olympic gold medalist and her family will always have a steady and sustainable source of income.

That is why apart from the P10-million incentive, he is also giving Diaz two Chick ‘N Juicy chicken rotisserie franchise outlets from San Miguel Foods, Inc. as a gift. One outlet will be located at Eastwood City in Libis and while another to be set up at her home province of Zamboanga.

Ang also asked Diaz to use her influence to encourage more Filipinos to follow health protocols and get vaccinated against COVID-19.