Hidilyn Diaz's family takes pride despite Olympic debacle

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Defeat has not dampened the spirits of the family of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, as they continue to stand proud of her feat in bringing the name of this southern port city and the Philippines to the 2012 Olympics in London.

“I told her not to be ashamed because we are very proud of her. And I’m sure the Filipino people were also supporting her,” her mother Emelita remarked in Chavacano shortly after talking to her daughter, after the competition at the Excel-South Arena 3 of the Olympic Village.

The 21-year-old Hidilyn failed in her bid after three attempts in the 118-kilogram in the clean and jerk weightlifting event.

“She was crying with frustration, saying she was really ashamed as the people were hoping for her,” Emelita said.

“I told her she has nothing to be ashamed of because going there is already an honor and our family and the people were very proud of her,” she said. “Bearing that flag to lead our nation in the Olympics was really an honor.”

Emelita said they were happy that Hidilyn was safe after the competition.

Hidilyn wanted to start off with an 118-kilogram attempt, though she needed to lift 128 kgs more to meet her target of 225 kgs. 

Her teammates knew Hidilyn could make it since she had lifted 123 kgs in the nationals.

Hidilyn though failed in the attempt and fell backwards during the event.

Hidilyn struggled to lift the 118-kg weight but just couldn’t get it off the ground in the second attempt. 

Hidilyn would have faced Maria Escobar of Ecuador.

Hidilyn’s mother said at first the family felt sad at the turn of the events, but were encouraged by the spirit of competition and the chance to be around next time.

The family, in fact, has been preparing the makeshift weightlifting gym that Hidilyn developed just beside their house.

Emelita said Hidilyn has also advised the children she was mentoring to continue their weightlifting practice everyday, specially her younger brother Eduardo.

It was not clear yet if Hidilyn will try to compete again as she will turn 25 years old and will continue the computer science degree she put on hold for the Olympic preparation. 

Hidilyn, in her Twitter account, said she prepared for years for this Olympics. She said she stopped going to school to train for hours every day in a sport that requires almost super human strength and took nearly a decade of her life.