Out of SEAG, Rio silver medalist Diaz casts eye on Asian, world tournaments

Hidilyn Diaz

Her event scratched from the coming Southeast Asian Games, Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz will focus on this year’s Asian Indoor Games and World Weightlifting Championships.

Diaz believes she is good for another medal in the world championships in Anaheim, California, on Nov. 28 to Dec. 5, and in the Sept. 17 to 27 continental indoor games in Turkmenistan.

“These tournaments are bigger than the SEA Games and will help prepare me for the (2020) Tokyo Olympics,” said Diaz in Filipino yesterday during an interview at the College of St. Benilde Hotel in Manila.

The Filipino weightlifting darling from Zamboanga City returned to school after six years and will pursue a four-year BS Business Management degree at CSB.

“Some of our Olympic medalists failed to prepare for retirement and practically had nothing after their careers,” said Diaz. “I know that I cannot be an athlete forever.”

The schedule of the three-time Olympian at school was arranged so it won’t run in conflict with her training.

Diaz said she hopes to inspire fellow athletes to pursue their studies.

The 24-year-old will be back in the world stage in Anaheim after her exploits in the Rio de Janeiro Games and the 2015 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships in Houston, Texas.

Diaz scooped three bronze medals in Houston after lifting 96 kilograms in the snatch, 117kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 213kg.