PUERTO Princesa City—Reynadine Marie Jimenez drew inspiration from the presence of her aunt, the country’s first Olympic medallist Hidilyn Diaz, in claiming her first gold in the 2024 Batang Pinoy National Championships.
Diaz quietly cheered Jimenez on as the 13-year-old lifter, who is coached by the Olympian’s husband Julius Naranjo, came up with a final lift of 59 kgs in the clean and jerk, when morning action in weightlifting ended at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex.
“This is our first gold medal for the 2024 Batang Pinoy. This is significant because we are very new, considering that we are into grassroots, competing against the powerhouses of Zamboanga City and Cebu City,” said Naranjo.
The feat allowed Jimenez to complement her 43-kg lift in the snatch for a total of 102 in the 12-13 year old 40-kg category.
“Masaya po. First time ko po kasi maka-gold,“ said Jimenez, who is a niece of Hidilyn, in giving Rizal Province its first gold medal in the event, and on its second day.
Jimenez said she feels that she has a future in weightlifting, inspired to seek a gold, after getting a silver and a bronze during her previous Batang Pinoy campaigns.
Bohol’s Rhian Macato settled for the silver behind Jimenez, with her total of 101, while Zamboanga City’s Elarie Colonia took the bronze at 91.
Rizal Province’s first gold came as Zamboanga City, under Hidilyn’s cousin Allen Diaz’s guidance, picked up two mints, first off 14-year-old Faith Leonor with her total of 113 in the 13-14 year old 40 kg event.
Zamboanga City’s other gold came from Adrian Bucol in the 11-12 year old side, with his tally of 112.
Eight meet records fell in swimming and athletics, while swimmers Arvin Taguinota of Pasig and Sofia Garra of Malabon walked away with their third gold medals.
Taguinota, the most bemedalled swimmer in the 12-13 year old category last year with seven mints, earned his third gold for Pasig City in the boys’ 200-meter backstroke with a clocking of 2:19.88.
Masbate’s Bianca Espenilla accounted for one of eight new meet records, with her heave of 51.17 meters in the under-18 women’s javelin throw in athletics, which eclipsed the 46.61 meters she did last year.
