Diaz pursues mission to inspire young lifters

BANGKOK – On a break from hard training and competition following her silver medal feat in the Rio Olympics, Hidilyn Diaz’s next immediate mission is to fulfill her new role as the face of Philippine weightlifting and the gold standard young aspiring lifters look up to.

“Nakikita niya na siya na ang simbolo ngayon ng weightlifting. Kung andoon siya, iyung mga bata inspirado even sa presence lang niya saka konting push (She realizes she’s become the new symbol of Philippine weightlifting. Youngsters get inspired if she’s there to give them a little push),” Philippine Weightlifting Association vice president Elbert Atilano said.

Atilano said the 25-year-old Diaz will help out the PWA’s youth and junior teams, providing inspiration and sisterly advice as they embark on their stints in the IWF Youth World Championships on Oct. 19-25 in Penang and Asian Youth and Junior Championships on Nov. 8-16 in Tokyo.

“Gagamitin namin siya to inspire iyung mga magpa-participate sa youth and junior tournaments. Isasama namin siya for inspiration  (We’ll utilize her as a source of inspiration for our participants in the youth and junior tournaments),” said Atilano, who accompanied Diaz in Thursday’s AirAsia “Asean Heroes” tribute here.

Diaz’ feat has triggered a boom in weightlifting back home.

“Tumaas ng 300 percent ang interest (We enjoyed a 300 percent increase in interest),” said Atilano. “Maraming parents na rin ang nag-i-inquire kasi nung nakita nila si Hidilyn, nawala iyung myth na panlalaki lang ang weightlifting at iyung mga babae naman ay nagiging macho (A lot more parents are inquiring about the sport. Diaz dispelled the wrong perception that weightlifting is for males and that females into it become boyish).”

The PWA is allowing Diaz time off from her usual gym regimen.

“Let her enjoy first after her 16-year suffering in training and in life,” said Atilano.

“Ang instruction namin sa kanya is to at least maintain a 70 percent condition so she won’t totally dip. If she can do this, we’ll hit top condition again in more or less six months,” he added.

The ultimate goal for Diaz is the top prize in the 2020 Olympics.

“Our target is to sing the Philippine anthem in Tokyo. The Philippine flag was raised in Rio and next time we want the national anthem sang,” said Atilano.