Expect Hidilyn Diaz to ‘put on a show,’ says coach 

Hidilyn Diaz has a shot at history.

After scoring a  breakthrough Olympic silver medal in the 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Diaz gets a chance to better that result when she competes in the Tokyo Games women’s weightlifting competitions on Monday, July 26, at the Tokyo International Forum.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” said Diaz, who is competing in her fourth Olympics.

The road to the gold will not be easy. In her path is Chinese world record holder Liao Qiuyun of China, who many have tagged as the favorite in the 55-kilogram division.

But Julius Naranjo, Diaz’s strength and conditioning coach, said it would be unwise to sleep on the reigning Asian Games champion. 

“You will expect Hidilyn lift weights that you’ve never seen before. She’s on track. She’s going to put on a show,” Naranjo said.

Naranjo added that Diaz has been hitting new personal marks this late in her career, a good sign as she prepares to bolster the Philippines’ medal hopes in the Summer Games.

“This is the year for us,” said Diaz. “Ito na yung pikakahihintay ko, pinakahihintay naming mga Filipino athletes. Siyempre sobrang excited na ako, kinakabahan, sobrang kinanabahan ako. Pero kino-convert ko na siya na sinasabi ko na-excited na ako ipakita ang galing nating mga Pilipino.”

(This is what I’ve been waiting for, what all Filipino athletes are waiting for. Of course I’m excited and nervous. But I’m converting that thought, I’m now saying that I’m excited to show the skills of Filipino athletes.)

The 30-year-old Diaz admits she had thought of retirement, but said the decision would come after the Tokyo Games.

“Sa akin alam kong kaya ko pa. Pero ngayon ang target ko hanggang Asian Games [next year]. Then after the Asian Games tignan ko ulit, reflect, then kung kaya… tuluy-tuoy, kung hindi… baka yun na,” the pride of Zamboanga City said in the final episode of the documentary “Let’s Go HD!” aired on the Facebook page of Kick-Start Coffee Brewed Awakening.

(I know that I can still do it. Right now, my retirement target is in the Asian Games next year. Then after the Asian Games, I’ll see and reflect again if I can still do it. If not, then that’s it.)

“Ang haba-haba ng serbisyo ko sa weightlifting, baka time na. Pero hindi ko pa alam… masasabi ko lang nakikita ko potential ko, malakas ako, sayang naman kung mag-stop ako. Habang andito yung momentum tuluy-tuloy lang. Habang nandito pa.”

(I’ve been in weightlifting for so long, maybe it’s time. But I don’t know, all I can say is I can still see my potential, that I’m still strong, so I don’t want to waste it by stopping. While I still got the momentum, I will keep on going.) – Rappler.com