Diaz plans move to higher weight division

If there’s one Filipino who can finally grab a gold medal in the Olympics, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Butch Ramirez believes weightlifting heroine Hidilyn Diaz has the biggest chance.

“Her quest for the gold in the 2020 Olympics can be real and we are committed to support her all the way,” Ramirez said.

Next stop for Diaz is the world championships in Turkmenistan in November when she goes from -53 kilogram, which won her gold in the ongoing Asian Games in Indonesia, to -55 kg.

Diaz, who rose to fame with her silver medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, could face stronger opponents in the -55 kg, but pointed out that competing in that weight class would be less exhausting.

“I can see that Hidilyn was ready for it (Asian Games gold medal). Once again, she proved herself worthy,” Ramirez said.

Diaz has repeated time and again that she would retire after the Tokyo Olympics.

The famed lifter from Zamboanga City began pulling up steel when she was 14. After three Olympic Games that began in 2008 in Beijing, Diaz will be 29 in her fourth Olympic tour of duty two years from now.

Ramirez said Diaz’s feat inspired national athletes, whom the PSC will provide all-out support for them to qualify for the Tokyo Games.