Hidilyn Diaz gets P2M aid for 2020 Tokyo Olympics prep

Hidilyn Diaz (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

MANILA, Philippines—Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz is set to receive P2 million for her preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics through a deal agreed upon by national sports officials and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.

The agreement was formalized by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez, Phoenix chairman Dennis Uy, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Senator Bong Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Sports. The deal was signed in Malacañang on Thursday afternoon.

This came two months after Diaz took to social media to appeal for financial help.

READ: Hidilyn Diaz asking for financial support for Tokyo 2020 stint

Diaz thanked the PSC and Phoenix for the financial grant, which was awarded in the third year anniversary of her silver medal finish in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“For me, malaking bagay. Kasi maglalaro ako sa Olympics and there’s a lot of competition that I need to complete and preparation towards Olympic, um medyo mahirap. So may core team ako. And I’m so grateful for the help, for the support they gave me,” Diaz said.

In April, Diaz took a step towards qualifying for the Tokyo Games by winning three silver medals in the 2019 Asian Weightlifting Championship in China. /je