Hidilyn in final push for Paris

MANILA, Philippines — Hidilyn Diaz has a chance to become only the second athlete from the Philippines to participate in five Olympics but it will take a major lift to clinch a ticket to Paris in the final qualifying event at the World Cup in Phuket on March 31-April 11.

Samahang Weightlifting Ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said yesterday he’s shooting for four Olympic qualifiers and it’s within reach. In line to qualify are Vanessa Sarno (71kg), Rosegie Ramos (49kg) and John Fabuar Ceniza (61kg). The fourth slot is expected to go to either Diaz or Elreen Ando in the women’s 59kg division. Sarno, 20, is a two-time SEA Games and 2020 Asian gold medalist. Ramos, 20, took the silver in snatch and bronze in total weight at the Asian Championships in Tashkent last February. Ceniza, 26, was fourth in the recent Asian Championships and fifth in the World Championships last year.

“Vanessa, Rosegie and John are OK unless something happens,” said Puentevella. “They’re in for now. The only slot remaining is between Hidi and Elreen. We hope everything goes well in Phuket and if we get four in, let God do the rest.”

Diaz, 33, is in a battle with Ando, 25. “It’s a close fight,” said Puentevella. “Elreen is ranked No. 9 in the world and it’s probably because she has competed in five qualifying events while Hidi needs one more. To make it to Paris, Hidi has to beat Elreen who’s behind her by only two kilos. Hidi missed the Uzbekistan leg and went zero because of cramps in Qatar early this year. It’ll be a showdown in Phuket and it’s set at 7 p.m. on April 3, the last event between the two. We’re also preparing Elreen for the LA Olympics, no matter what happens in Phuket.”

Diaz competed in the 58kg class at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, dropped to 53kg to claim silver at the 2016 Rio Games then struck gold in the 55kg division in Tokyo in 2021. In Paris, the 55kg category has been scrapped with Diaz moving up to 59kg.