Hero’s welcome awaits Diaz despite failure

ZAMBOANGA City— Heidilyn Diaz might have lost her shot at gold in the London Olympics but she has become a hero to her neighbors in Barangay Mampang here.

“She is always our hero, no matter what transpired in the Olympic Games. She brought pride to our village, to our city, to our country,” Mampang village councilor Valentin Luciano said.

Diaz, the 21-year-old flag bearer of the Philippine team at the opening ceremonies, failed the clean-and-jerk round in the 58-kilogram class of the women’s weightlifting competition after three attempts.

Almost in tears as she waved to the crowd after her third try, Diaz resigned.

In an earlier event at the London Olympics, the 5-foot-2 Diaz passed the snatch category when she lifted 97 kg.

Luciano said Diaz will be coming home to a hero’s  welcome.

“We have prepared a welcome hero surprise for her. Heidilyn”s participation has put our little and unknown barangay on the map of the world and that is enough for all of us,” Luciano said.

Emelita, Heidilyn’s mother, said her daughter’s failure at the clean and jerk category was surprising because she excelled in that category in local competitions and other competitions abroad.

“In fact she can even do the 120 to 125 kilogram weights,” Luciano said.

Emelita said when she talked with Heidilyn over the phone, “I hid my emotions and assured her that she is always our winner.”

She said her daughter was obviously upset and cried as they talked.

Emelita said Heidilyn had told her that “something went wrong. I felt dizzy and the lifts nearly hit my legs.”

Emelita said as a mother she wished she was there to tell Heidilyn that failure was  unavoidable.  Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao