by Waylon Galvez
First, an Olympic medal followed by a gym in her home province in Zamboanga City.
The blessings did not end there for Rio Games silver medal winner Hidilyn Diaz as weightlifting officials, in cooperation with the MVP Sports Foundation, launched the other day a tournament to be held in her honor.
Dubbed as the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Open Championships, the event will be held on July 8-9 at the Meralco Fitness Center, Multi-Purpose Hall in Pasig City.
The event will serve as a qualifier for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games aspirants.
The emotional Diaz said the event is the answer to her prayers.
“Bata ang mga naging inspirasyon ko para ipagpatuloy ko ang weightlifting,” said Diaz in a press briefing at the Meralco Gym Ececutive Lounge in Pasig City.
“Sabi ko hanggang Rio Olympics na lang ako, pero nanalo ako. So sabi ko kaya pa hanggang Tokyo Olympics. Pero after nun sino ang susunod na Hidilyn Diaz. Kaya napa-isip ako na gumawa ng competition para makapag-produce ng mga bagong weightlifters,” Diaz added.
Diaz, 26, said she will forever be grateful to Manny V. Pangilinan’s MVP Sports Foundation for the tournament.
