MANILA, Philippines — Hidilyn Diaz will make her fourth Olympic appearance in Tokyo in July, with a shot at fulfilling the nation’s hope for a first-ever gold medal in the quadrennial games.
The 30-year-old Diaz was fourth in the snatch at 94kg and had 118kg in her first attempt in the clean and jerk in the 55kg class of the Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
That formalized Diaz’s entry to the Tokyo Olympics slated July 23 to Aug. 8.
The Asian and Southeast Asian gold medalist still had two more attempts in clean and jerk at press time.
But regardless of the result, Diaz has achieved her initial goal of booking a Tokyo trip, joining gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam.
By coming to Tashkent, Diaz had completed the five-tournament requirement that paved the way for her fourth Olympic stint. Diaz is ranked No. 2 out of the eight who will qualify per division.
Bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission in her Tashkent trip, Diaz was ranged against a world-class field that included two Chinese world champions Liao Qiuyun and Li Yajun.
Liao and Li will contest the right to represent China in the division since a country can only field one entry per class.