Olympian medalist Diaz leads 2016 honor roll

Accolades continue to roll in for Hidilyn Diaz. And rightfully so as the weightlifting wonder snapped the Philippines’ 20-year medal drought in the Olympics.

This time, it’s the men and women who chronicled Diaz’s historic feat who will honor the 25-year-old pride of Zamboanga City.

Diaz—also the country’s first female medalist in the world’s biggest sporting stage—leads the Filipino Olympians chosen to receive top honors in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night on Feb. 13 at Le Pavillon in Pasay City.

Diaz, who captured a silver in the Rio de Janeiro Games last August, looms as the easy choice for the Athlete of the Year award.

Last year, pro boxers Nonito Donaire Jr. and Donnie “Ahas” Nietes together with golfer Miguel Tabuena shared the highest honor given by the Philippines’ oldest media organization composed of sports editors, writers and columnists from print and online media.

Other athletes who earned Olympic berths through qualifying tournaments, including tracksters Eric Cray, Marestella Torres-Sunang and Mary Joy Tabal, weightlifter Nestor Colonia, table tennis player Ian Lariba, boxers Roger Ladon and Charly Suarez, taekwondo jin Kirstie Alora and Tabuena, will also receive major awards.

President Duterte has been invited as guest speaker in the annual event presented by Milo and San Miguel.

The PSA will also hand out the President’s Award, Lifetime Achievement honor, Executive of the Year, National Sports Association of the Year, Mr. Basketball, Mr. Golf, Mr. Football and Ms. Volleyball.

Other top performers in the different sports will also be recognized in the two-hour program co-presented by Cignal/Hyper TV.

Young achievers will receive the Tony Siddayao Awards and the Milo Male and Female Junior Athletes of the Year, while posthumous awards will be given to sports legends and personalities from the sportswriting community. —JASMINE W. PAYO