HANGZHOU, China — Hidilyn Diaz made a slip of the tongue when she mistakenly branded the 19th Asian Games as mere “training” for her. It turned out that it’s quite true.
Competing in her first Asian Games in the heavier 59-kilogram category, the 32-year-old Diaz failed to win a medal, but gained a lot of experience that she could use when she battles the best in the world in the Paris Olympics next year.
Diaz, who won the Olympic gold medal in the 53-kg event in Tokyo two years ago, lifted 97 kgs in snatch and 126 kgs in clean and jerk for a total of 223 kgs to settle for fourth and miss the podium of this prestigious quadrennial event on Monday at the Huanglong Sports Centre Gymnasium here.
Kim Ilgyong of North Korea made an ultimate show of force, lifting 111 kgs to shatter the previous world record of 110 kgs set by Kuo Hsing Chun of Chinese Taipei in the 2021 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent.
HIDILYN Diaz vows to go all out when she competes in the Paris Olympics next year. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF
POC-PSC MEDIA GROUP
The stoic North Korean also registered 135 kgs in clean and jerk for a total of 246 kgs.
She, however, is not considered as a serious threat to Diaz in the Summer Games as the World Anti-Doping Agency banned the North Koreans in the Olympic and Paralympic Games after failing to implement an effective testing program.
Fan-favorite Huo Shinfang of China settled for the silver medal with 107 kgs in snatch and 133 kgs in clean and jerk for a total lift of 240 kgs while Kuo clinched the bronze medal with 101 kgs in snatch and 126 kgs in clean and jerk for a total lift of 227 kgs.
Despite the setback, Diaz made herself available for the post-game interview with a big smile as if she was the one who won the gold.
“I’m so happy with the competition today and I pushed myself to the limit to represent the country. It’s only every four years that we have the Asian Games and I’m so happy to be here,” said Diaz after wrapping up her third Asian Games stint, but first in the heavier weight category.
She added that the goal of competing in this year’s edition of the Asian Games is not just to win, but also to see the field and test her prowess against opponents campaigning in the heavier 59-kg category.
“So far, so good. I tried 100 and 113, it’s my first time to try it and I was surprised how strong I am. I am now in the top five, top six in this category. So I just have to work on adding a few kilos in my total lift,” said Diaz, who is wary not of the North Korean champion but of the Chinese and Taiwanese lifters as well as those from Ukraine, Colombia and Canada.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said Diaz’s setback was no big deal.
“We knew beforehand that Hidilyn’s hopes for a medal here aren’t bright because she’s competing in the 59-kg category,” said Tolentino, who was at the sidelines during the competition to cheer for the Filipino lifter.
“But we all know Hidilyn, she’s focused and disciplined so in a little year’s time, we’ll expect better from her in Paris.”
After the Asian Games, Diaz will fly home to rest before training again for the 7th Qatar International Cup in Doha December as well as the 2024 IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand in February, which is a compulsory tournament for the Paris Olympics.
Diaz said the real battle is not in this bustling metropolis, but in Paris.
“I just really wanted to compete in the Asian Games even if I know that this is not an Olympic qualifier,” said Diaz, who had a three-week preparation for the Asian Games through the recent IWF World Championship in Riyadh.
“I just want everybody to see that Filipino athletes are still good and that we can still win. I’m really so happy with today’s training… err, today’s result,” Diaz chuckled.
