Home is the heroine: Hidilyn eyes gold in Tokyo Games

MANILA, Philippines - Her passion for weightlifting reignited, Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz banished any thought of retirement and expressed willingness to carry the country’s hopes and dreams again in the next staging of the quadrennial games.

“Parang ayoko nang mag-retire. Ngayon pa lang nami-miss ko na ang magbuhat (It seems I no longer want to retire. Even now I already miss lifting),” said Diaz, who arrived yesterday to an appreciative crowd at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 after a 25-hour flight from Rio de Janeiro.

Prior to leaving for Brazil, Diaz had hinted the Rio Olympics could be her last hurrah.

But after breaking the Philippines’ 20-year medal drought, she’s now determined to return to the gym and go for the top prize four years from now in Tokyo.

“Siguro hindi na ako papayag na silver lang. Gusto ko gold na (Perhaps I won’t settle for silver next time. I want the gold),” she said.

Diaz was touched by the love from her compatriots. Her parents, Eduardo and Emelita, led well-wishers at the airport, and Hidilyn readily showed her precious medal to them.

“Sobrang saya ko, gusto kong umiyak (I’m overjoyed, I want to cry),” said Diaz, who was also greeted by her fellow Air Force members and Philippine Sports Commission officials led by chairman Butch Ramirez and commissioner Charles Maxey.

Diaz said she wanted to offer her medal to her mother who celebrated her 53rd birthday last Monday.

The country’s newest sensation fielded questions from the media upon her arrival.

A couple of hours later, Diaz took a plane to Davao for her evening courtesy call on President Duterte. The Chief Executive was expected to hand over the P5-million check to the Olympian at the Presidential Guest House in Davao.

“Excited at honored akong ipakita kay Presidente ang medalya ko (I’m excited and honored to present my medal to the President),” she said.

She added that she intends to buy a 300-square-meter lot in front of their house in Zamboanga City to build a weightlifting facility and help those who want to follow her footsteps.

Diaz is also expected to appeal for more government support for sports in her audience with the President. – With Rudy Santos