No Plans to Retire for Silver Medalist Hidilyn Diaz

Hidilyn Diaz aims gold in 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Filipino heroine Hidilyn Diaz plans not to quit on eyeing gold medal in the next Olympics after coming back from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she received a grand welcome ceremony.

Diaz, who finished second in the competition this past week after lifting a total of 200kg, arrived in Manila on Thursday afternoon, August 12, and then flew to Panacan, Davao City where she was welcomed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

August 12 Photo 1

“Parang ayaw ko pa mag-retire. Tokyo po. Kaya ko po kung susuportahan ako,” the 25-year old said.

“Siguro hindi na ako papayag na silver lang. Gusto ko gold na,” Diaz added.

In 2008 Beijing Olympics, Diaz was just a wildcard pick. Then 17-years old, the weighlifter from Zamboanga showed potential, especially at her young age.

In the 2012 Olympics in London, Hidilyn, then 21, was the proud flagbearer for the Philippines. But the competition would turn out to be much tougher as she finished 12th among the competing 19.

But with her success in Rio, the gravity of her love for weighlifting draws her in even deeper.

“Parang ayoko na pong mag-retire. Ngayon pa lang, nami-miss ko na ang pagbubuhat,” she said.

Moreover, it looks like her past losses in the Olympics were only able to motivate her to improve for a podium finish.

“Bawing bawi. Ginawa ko siyang experience at dun ako nabubuhay sa mga pagkakamali ko,” Diaz said on her past losses.

August 12 Photo 2

During her press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 earlier on Thursday, Diaz revealed that part of what she hopes to do with the incentives she’s received is buy land and put up a gym in her hometown where others can also get into weightlifting.

Diaz received a total of  P7 million cash incentives after receiving a P5 million under Republic Act 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act, while an additional P2 million pesos was promised by Duterte when they met in Davao City.

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