Hidilyn Diaz’s niece bags weightlifting silver in Arafura Games
First Medal of the Team Philippines, congratulations Kateleen Marie Diaz, weightlifting 45kg, Silver medalist. #AG2019#TeamPHLsaArafuraGames2019
Posted by Team Phil – Arafura Games 2019 on Friday, April 26, 2019
MANILA, Philippines—Kate Diaz gave the Philippines’ its first medal in the 2019 Arafura Games after taking home the silver in the women’s weightlifting competition Saturday at Darwin Convention Centre.
The 15-year-older weightlifter, who’s the niece of Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, lifted a total of 115 kilograms after tallying 50 kg in the snatch and 65 kg in the clean and jerk in the women’s 45 kg division.
Chinese-Taipei’s Shi Yue took the gold after lifting a total of 120 kg, 53 kg in the snatch and 67 kg in the clean and jerk.
Congratulations Kateleen Marie Diaz!!Weightlifting, 45kg#AG2019#TEAMPHLsaARAFURAGAMES2019
Posted by Team Phil – Arafura Games 2019 on Friday, April 26, 2019
“I think God has a reason why I settled for the silver medal so I won’t be too confident if I won the gold,” said Diaz, who failed to lift 70 kg in her second and third attempts in the clean and jerk, in Filipino.
“I learned that whatever happened, my focus and concentration will always be there.”
Diaz and Shi were the only ones left to compete after about 30 weightlifters from across all weight categories failed to submit the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) a document that the International Weightlifting Federation requires.
