Filipino Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and her husband and coach Julius Naranjo, recently visited the legendary tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od in Buscalan Village, Kalinga.
Julius shared the memorable experience on Instagram, featuring photos and a video of the traditional hand-tapping tattoo process.
Hidilyn received Whang-Od’s iconic three-dot signature tattoo on her arm, while Julius opted for a larger sleeve tattoo crafted by Whang-Od’s apprentice, Grace, symbolizing "courage, resilience, perseverance, and strength."
In his heartfelt caption, Julius described the encounter as a meeting with two legends: one in culture and one in sports.
“Both women embody strength and empower beauty through their talents and achievements,” he wrote.
Hidilyn, the first Filipino athlete to win an Olympic gold medal, achieved her historic feat at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the women's 55-kg weightlifting event. Despite falling short of qualifying for the Paris Olympics this year, she remains committed to weightlifting and inspiring the next generation of Filipino athletes.
Hidilyn and Julius tied the knot in 2022, a year that also marked their fifth anniversary as a couple.