Rio Olympians Kirstie Alora (left) and Hidilyn Diaz during a roundtable discussion at College of St. Benilde. Photo by Bong Lozada
Hidilyn Diaz couldn’t hide her frustration over the sorry state of weightlifting in the Philippines, especially when it comes to the facilities.
“One of my frustrations is nothing’s improved,” said Diaz in Filipino during a small media luncheon at College of St. Benilde Thursday. “These are the same barbells from before, the training venue hasn’t changed.”
Diaz is set to compete in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games this September in Turkmenistan, her first major competition since the Rio Olympics.
Though Diaz didn’t participate in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games last month, she flew to Kuala Lumpur to support fellow weightlifter Nestor Colonia and other Filipino athletes.
While there, she able to train in Malaysia’s national weightlifting gym and she marveled at the modernity of the country’s facilities.
“Good to see how beautiful the sports training center of Malaysia Team is,” Diaz posted on her Instagram on August 29. “How I wish we have the same sports center, support, care, and attention Malaysian athletes receive from their country.”
The Philippines’ sports facilities pale in contrast and that has been the biggest source of frustration for Diaz.
“Those are just some of the things I want to change, I think these problems will be addressed slowly but surely.”
Diaz catapulted weightlifting into the public consciousness when she ended the Philippines’ 20-year medal drought in the Summer Games when she won the silver in the women’s -53 kilogram category.
The Zamboanga City native also competed in the 2008 and 2012 Games.
“Right now us weightlifters are still doing our best and I hope the sports officials heed our call.”
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