Kampung Kesang Tua in Jasin is now Hidilyn Diaz's second home as the Philippines' Olympic weightlifting champion is expected to return to her base this week to prepare for the World Championships on Dec 7-17 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The 30-year-old, who got engaged with her boyfriend and coach Julius Naranjo recently, loves everything about Malaysia following her 'unplanned' long-term stint in the country before the Tokyo Olympics.
Hidilyn's journey to the Olympic Games began when she moved to an apartment in Kuala Lumpur in February last year and began training in the city.
Once the Covid-19 pandemic hit, however, everything was brought to a standstill. In October last year, she and her team relocated to a kampung house in Jasin and were training at a gym there.
Due to tighter restrictions, the gym was forced to close, leaving Hidilyn with no choice but to train in the backyard of the kampung house with a makeshift gym.
She spent more than a year in isolation without her family members and only her trainers for company.
Hidilyn's determination paid dividends when she became the Philippines' first Olympic champion in Tokyo by winning the women's under-55kg event.
She was supposed to fly down to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday but had to postpone the trip due to travel permit issues.
After three months of celebration and vacation, Hidilyn is motivated to become a world champions after her Olympic success.
"I am still an athlete, still hungry to achieve my goals," Hidilyn told BusinessMirror recently.
Ahmad Janius Abdullah, who has been assisting Hidilyn with arrangements in Malaysia, said preparations have been made in anticipation of her return but stressed that she does not want any special treatment.
Janius' in-laws own the kampung house in Jasin.
"Hidilyn is hoping to come here this week," said Janius yesterday.
"We have made some minor upgrades to the house to make it slightly more comfortable for her.
"We have expanded the porch, her training areas, and bought a better bed for her. Previously, she was sleeping on a double-decker bed here.
"She enjoys the quiet environment in Jasin, and we consider her as part of the family.
"She may be a millionaire in the Philippines, but she comes to Kampung Kesang Tua as a normal athlete.
"Her training will remain the same as she is focusing on becoming a world champion."
Janius, who is the Federal Territories Weightlifting Association secretary, added that the kampung house has become a tourist attraction since she won Olympic gold.
"Visitors do stop by to take pictures in front of the house quite often," said Janius.
"We are building a plaque as well as a mini gallery, where we will display some of her trophies and newspaper cuttings to commemorate her achievements.
"Perhaps in the future, tourists visiting from the Philippines can come and visit if she is not training."
