JAKARTA, Indonesia – All eyes are on Hidilyn Diaz as the Philippines’ only female Olympic silver medalist vies for a successful Asian Games comeback on Tuesday, August 21 at the Jakarta International Expo Hall A. 

Diaz, an Asiad regular who surprisingly missed the cut in the 2014 Incheon Games, aims to stay more focused on her bid.

“Kailangan kong isipin na ginagawa ko ito dahil gusto ko, hindi lang dahil sa pressure ng ibang tao, hindi dahil piniplease ko sila kundi mahal ko yung ginagawa ko, and ibinibigay ko lahat kaya deserve ko ito,” said Diaz in a Rappler interview. 

(I have to think that I’m doing this because I want to, not because I feel pressured by other people, not because I’m trying to please them, but because I love what I’m doing and I’m giving my all that’s why I deserve this.) 

Diaz stands among the favored bets to bring home a gold for the Philippines, which has only won three bronze medals in two days of action. 

One of the Filipina weightlifting star’s rivals in the women’s 53kg event – 2016 Olympic champion Hsu Shu-Ching of Chinese-Taipei – has retired from the sport, boosting her gold medal chance in Tuesday’s event. 

“Gagawin ko yung best ko para talunin yung mga kalaban ko kaya binibigay ko lahat sa training palang para pagdating sa laro, maganda ang outcome ng laro ko,” added Diaz. 

(I’ll do my best to beat my opponents, that’s why I’ve been giving my all even in training so that I’ll have a good performance during the event.) 

However, the 27-year-old knows she now has to deal with the challenge of some young, rising Asian weightlifters. 

Samahang Weightlifting Federation president Monico Puentevella leveled expectations, but believes that Diaz still has a strong shot in the women’s 53kg competition slated at 6 pm (7 pm, Manila time).

“It’s a 50-50 situation because she’s fighting the world champion from Thailand, very much younger than she is, but Hidilyn has the heart, may puso,” he said, – Rappler.com