Hidilyn Diaz on Tokyo 2020 Olympics bid: ‘I need financial support’

MANILA, Philippines – Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz took to social media to reveal that she needed more financial support for her Tokyo 2020 bid. 

“Hirap na hirap ako (I’m really having a hard time.) I need financial support,”  Diaz wrote in her Instagram story. 

Diaz – probably the best bet to win the country’s elusive first Olympic gold – is determined to achieve that dream, and is now humbly asking big corporations and sports backers to support her. 

“Sa tingin niyo okay lang kaya, nahihiya kasi ako pero try ko kapalan mukha ko para sa minimithi kong pangarap para sa ating bansa na maiuwi ang Gold Medal sa Olympics.” 

(Do you guys think it’s okay [to ask for financial support]? I’m embarrassed about it but I’ll try to be brave enough to do so for my dream of winning the country’s first Olympic gold medal.) 

The Asian Games weightlifting gold medalist is slated to compete in the International Weightlifting Federation World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, that will be held on September 18 to 27, 2019. 

This will be her last Olympic qualifier for the year, and a gold medal can significantly ramp up her ranking for the quadrennial meet. 

After her rift with Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella last October, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Ramirez promised that the weightlifting star will get enough support for her 2020 Tokyo Olympics bid. 

According to a statement by the PSC, Diaz receives one of the highest allowances in the national pool.  The government’s sports agency said it has given Diaz P4.5 million for her foreign trainings in Hainan and Guangxi, China, as well as approving her 6 world qualifying circuit competitions.

Her two-month training camp  showed results when she copped 3 silvers in the Asian Weightlifting Championships. 

While training for Tokyo 2020, Diaz runs side ventures – HD Cleaning Services and Komida Foods. – Rappler.com