Diaz seeks Tokyo clincher in Asian meet

MANILA, Philippines — Rio Olympics weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz left Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Saturday for Tashkent, Uzbekistan in chase of a goal to seal a spot in the Tokyo Games in July.

The 30-year-old Diaz is scheduled to compete in the Asian Championships slated April 16-25 in Tashkent where she would need to just complete a lift to formally book a ticket to the quadrennial games regardless of the score.

“14 months of waiting. See you Uzbekistan! Represent the Philippines in Asian Weightlifting Championships 2021,” said Diaz on her Instagram account.

Diaz is practically assured of one of the eight slots in the women’s 55-kilogram division as she is currently ranked second in the world.

In Tashkent, Diaz will complete the six required International Weightlifting Federation-sanctioned events to officially make it to her fourth Olympics.

She will become the seventh Filipino to advance to the Summer Games next to gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam.

But more than just clinching a Tokyo berth, Diaz, who has never stopped training despite the COVID-19 pandemic, hopes to excel.

“Pray for our safety and hope team Philippines will perform well in Olympic Qualifying,” she said.