PARIS FAILURE: PH HEROINE HIDILYN DIAZ NOT LEAVING WEIGHTLIFTING

“I candidly accepted my failure to book a trip to Paris Olympics. No excuses. No alibi. I did all my best and utilized my skill and rich experience still I failed in my quest to go to Paris. It’s quite frustrating and disappointing I failed in my ambition of fifth Olympics appearance as it ended in sad note. May be Paris Summer Games not really meant for me. It’s time to leave the weightlifting and focused my attention to my family and HD Weightlifting Academy,”

Thus Hidilyn Diaz said in a melancholy tone to this reporter in an interview during the 60th year anniversary of the Switzerland-based company makers of Milo energy drinks business in the Philippines where the 32 years old Tokyo Olympics golden girl is one of the guest of honors with fellow role models and brand ambassadors 1992 Barcelona Olympics taekwondo bronze medalist Bea Lucero-Lhuillier, Chris Tiu, Alyssa Valdez and Jamie Lim, daughter of cage legend the late Avelino ‘Samboy” Lim.

Diaz tried to hold back her tears of frustration and disappointment while talking this reporter narrating the sad story of her failure to compete in Paris for the fifth time since the 2000 Sydney edition in Australia.

Diaz honestly admitted it’s hard and difficult for her to win in heavier division 59kg because her rivals are heftier and much heavier than her physique.

“I was forced to compete in the 59kg because my ideal weight 55kg is not included in the 11 women’s weight division.

“I couldn’t do about it but to compete in heavier division, whether I like it or not. That is the discretion of the host country,” noted the reigning World Weightlifting champion from Zamboanga.

Diaz, who turned 32 last February 20, confessed she could have made it to Paris if she competed in 55kg where the Philippines marks its 100 years participation in the popular and most glamorous sports extravaganza in the universe organized by the International Olympic Committee.

Diaz said she will not leave weightlifting and still around molding and developing young promising lifters to follow her footsteps with the help of HD Weightlifting Academy she put up in Jala Jala, Rizal overlooking Laguna de Bay.

“Though I’m no longer around, I’m still there and visible. I cannot turn my back to sports closest to my heart that gave countless honors and big fortunes and honors to the country and the Filipino people,” stressed Diaz.

Asked about her plan to coach the national team, Diaz aptly answered “Of course yes. Not this time. I have to think about it before I make my final decision,”

Diaz failed in her ambition for fifth Olympic appearance in Paris missing by one notch at 11th to make to the Top 10 in the last qualifying International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup held in Thailand where she won the Asian Weightlifting.

While Diaz failed in her dream to compete in Paris, Erleen Ann Ando, the Cebuana Cambodia Southeast Asian Games record holder and Tokyo Olympian, successfully booked a trip to ticket to Paris with Diaz’ counsin, Rosegie Ramos and fellow Cebuano John Fabuar Ceniza.

Ando, seventh in Tokyo, placed seventh and Diaz 11th in the 59kg. won by China’s Luo Shifang. The top 10 in each division play in Paris.

Ando lifted 228kg. and surpasse the 222kg recorded by Diaz in the 59kg. Ando also bettered the 224kg. made by Diaz in the World Championship last year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia before the Mecca of Islam in the Middle East hosted the World Combat Sports last October where wrestling president Alvin Aguilar headed the Philippine delegation.

In her entry to the Olympics, Ando lifted the iron barbell 125kg in her second attempt in clean and jerk. The Cebuana amazon lifted 128kg. And finished 228kg.

“I congratulate Ando in earning trip ticket to Paris. She worked for it and deserves the trip to Paris,” said Diaz.

Diaz placed fourth three times in the 59kg in qualifying in Jiju, Korea, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Asian Games in China where Tokyo bronze medalist Felix Eumir Marcial won silver and made it to Paris.

The women weight divisions are 45kg, 49kg, 59kg., 69kg., 64kg., 71kg., 76kg., 81kg, plus 81kg, 87kg, and plus 87kg.

Olympic gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz answers questions from sports media when she graced the MILO 60th Anniversary and press conference in Trinoma Mall over the weekend. (Photo by MENCHIE SALAZAR)