PH weightlifters Diaz, Colonia are clanging and banging in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Nestor Colonia and Hidilyn Diaz spent a couple of hours training Friday afternoon and were satisfied with the result as they left Pavilion 2 of the Riocenter Convention Center.

“Maganda ang training today,” said Colonia, a 25-year-old who’s in his first Olympics.

Colonia had ease lifting 120 kg in the snatch and 150 kg in the clean and jerk where he has a personal best of 124 kg and 158 kg for a combined lift of 282 kg.

“Okay lang,” said Colonia, who added that the target for the competition is 290 kg or anything higher than that. He said if he succeeds, then he gets a shot at a medal.

“Konti na lang,” said Colonia, ranked number 4 in the world in the 56 kg division.

(READ: Know the basics of Olympic Weightlifting)

Diaz, competing in her third straight Olympics, is feeling much better now after experiencing coughing the past few days here. She also had a good session.

“I’m happy with today’s training,” said the 25-year-old Diaz, a native of Zamboanga like Colonia and their head coach, Alfonsito Aldanete.

Diaz, the flag bearer for the Philippine delegation during the 2012 London Olympics, was successful with 85 kg in the snatch during training. A few platforms away was her rival from South Korea.

“Nagtitinginan kami. Alam ko nasa 85 (kg) din siya kanina,” said Diaz. 

(We were looking at each other. I knew she was at 85 kg earlier.) 

“That’s why Hidi was was happy during training. It’s like she and her rival are monitoring each other in the division,” said Colonia. – pool report by Gilbert Cordero/Rappler.com