December 4, 2019- One of the greatest gifts of a remarkable athlete is having the ability to inspire others. And that is exactly what 2016 Summer Olympic Weightlifting Silver Medalist Hidilyn Diaz has done for her fellow Filipina weightlifters.
Diaz has received praise from fans and teammates alike for her dominant Gold Medal outing at the 55kg Women’s Weightlifting Category for the 2019 South East Asian Games in the Philippines.
“Maging katulad din po sa kanya (Hidalyn Diaz).” Said her younger teammate Kristel Macrohon in praise of Diaz’s multitude of accomplishments. Macrohon, in impressive fashion, won the Philippine’s its second Gold Medal in women’s weightlifting, this time, for the 71kg category.
Despite the humbled and flattered Diaz, the 2018 Asian Games weightlifting Gold Medalist still posed a challenge to those following her footsteps.
“I’m happy to hear that (fellow weightlifters looking up to her as their idol) na sana makapagqualify sila sa Olympics and they can do more.” said the Filipino star
(I’m happy to hear that, hopefully then can Qualify for the Olympics and they can do more.)
“Hindi lang maging parehas ko, kung hindi, maging mas higit pa kay Hidilyn Diaz.” Uttered the future Hall of Famer as the Philippines has shown it’s potential to compete at the World stage.
(Not just to me like me, but to be much better than Hidilyn Diaz.)
The likes of Kristel Macrohon, Margaret Colonia, and even Hidalyn’s very own cousin, Mary Flor Diaz have made strides this year’s 30thSEA Games.
Colonia won the Silver Medal at the Women’s 59kg Weightlifting event while the Diaz relative sealed Bronze Medal at the 45kg Category.
Hidilyn Diaz also offered a piece of advise to her fellow weightlifters as she remains optimistic for the Philippines’ bid to bring Weightlifting on the international stage, this time, for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“As an athlete kailangan talaga na yung “mental toughness”. Sana maiuwi nila (Filipino Weighlifters) ang Gold Medal for the Philippines.” said Diaz in inspiring weightlifters and athletes alike.
(As an athlete, you really need that “mental toughness”. I hope they (Filipino weightlifters) bring home the Gold Medal for the Philippines.)
