Her unique ring was inspired by her win, strength, and passion
Hidilyn Diaz is now engaged! The Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist gave her sweet yes to her conditioning coach and longtime boyfriend turned fiancé, Julius Naranjo on Saturday, October 16. The weightlifter reveals in her Instagram post that she was duped into thinking there was a birthday celebration, despedida before she leaves again for Malaysia, and triple date with their friends which is why she was invited to dine at Sheraton Manila’s Vubble. “…kaya naman nagvlog pa ako, nagpapicture, at napacute pa ko. Yum pala magpropose na!” she writes in her caption.
A video capturing the whole moment, as shared by Noel Ferrer, shows just how surprised Hidilyn was. “Crazy ka talaga!” she says to Julius, who has gotten down on one knee and did not move one bit even after Hidilyn jests.
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“It’s YES! It was a magical moment with @imjulius. I’m grateful to God that He sent Julius into my life, he make [sic] my life easy, alam ng iba kung ano mga sinasakripisyo niya para maabot namin ang pangarap na Ginto sa Olympics together with #TeamHD, nun laro kinilig at masaya ako kasi siya mismo nagsabi God is the center of our relationship, kaya walang duda magYeYES ako dahil swerte ako may isang Julius nagmamahal, nagintindi, at sumoporta sakin.
Thank you sa lahat ng kasabwat ni Julius, magaling po kayo naging meaningful ang gabi dahil sa inyo,” writes Hidilyn in her first Instagram post on her engagement.
The Ring
Julius worked with Manila Diamond Studio to create her one of a kind engagement ring, perhaps one that is most fitting and only fitting for Hidilyn. A solitaire diamond sits in the center of a barbell, and the ring’s setting is of course, in yellow gold. It was “inspired by @hidilyndiaz’s love, strength, and passion. In collaboration with Coach @imjuliius, we brought life to what could only be the perfect ring for her. Another gold for our champ!” says Manila Diamond Studio.
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Inscribed inside the ring is “Tokyo 2020”, which of course is a tribute to Hidilyn’s most recent Olympic win. Hidilyn is also a 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist, 2018 Asian Games gold medalist, 2019 World Championships bronze medalist, and 2019 SEA Games gold medalist.
The Couple
“I thought it’s a prank. You always do this to me. Thank you so much for loving me. Thank you so much for supporting me. Thank you so much for this,” says Hidilyn in the video capturing their proposal. It appears from the same video that the couples’ friends were outside the Vubble, cheering them on and documenting the moment. When she was asked how she felt, she answered: “Feeling ko, ang haba ng hair ko!”
Julius shares a photo of Hidilyn holding her Olympic Gold Medal with her left hand, now decorated with her engagement ring. His caption is short and sweet, “There’s a first for everything.” Julius met Hidilyn in 2017 at the fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan where he was also a competitive weightlifter. He has since retired from competing and now coaches Hidilyn and is part of #TeamHD. He is also a filmmaker.
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“As her coach and as her partner, I experienced many things. I see her all the time and you go through her emotions, you have to deal with all of that and you also have to deal with the physical pain she goes through,” Julius says in a 2019 interview with ABS-CBN’s Sports U.
Congratulations, Hidilyn and Julius! May all your happiness continue to multiply!
