Julius Irvin Naranjo, coach and boyfriend of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, sees their relationship lasting a lifetime.
Naranjo, who was with Diaz in Bacolod City on Friday, September 10, said “yes” when asked at a press conference if he sees them being together forever.
When asked when they plan to get married, Diaz said “In God’s perfect time.”
Naranjo, who is a Filipino-American weightlifter from Guam, said balancing his being coach of Diaz and their love life “takes a lot of sacrifices and a lot of communication.”
“It’s not easy, but if you have something like bringing pride to the country as a goal then you are willing to do whatever it takes, to sacrifice whatever it takes to achieve something great…everything paid off”, Naranjo said.
“We knew what we needed to accomplish to bring us where we are today,” he said.
Diaz said “it was not easy for him and me, but as a team we have a goal.”
“Professionally he is very good and patient with me. He understands my goal and my high standards in training and in competitions,” she said.
Diaz, aside from her weightlifting career, is pursuing a degree in business management at the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said.*