By REYNALDO MAGALLON
Hidilyn Diaz missed the podium in her first foray in the 59kg event, settling for fourth place in the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championship in Jinju, South Korea on Sunday, May 7.
The country’s lone Olympic gold medalist did fairly well in her first competition since moving up to the heavier weight, successfully lifting a total of 221 kilograms after a best record of 99 kg in snatch and 122 kg in clean and jerk.
The effort, however, went down the drain as it still fell short for the bronze medal which was won by Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Kuo Hsing Chun who lifted a total of 230 kg.
China had a 1-2 finish with Luo Shifang lording over the competition with 238 kg while teammate Pei Xinyi nabbed the silver after lifting a total of 236 kg.
Diaz opened her campaign with a successful lift of 93 kg in her first attempt in snatch before going for a heavier 97 kg in the second. Diaz had her best lift in his third and final attempt with 99 kg to also finish fourth in snatch.
She completed a 118 kg lift to begin the clean-and-jerk before recording 122 kg in the second attempt. Diaz tried to go for 125 kg but couldn’t finish it, settling for the fifth spot.
Diaz’s teammate Elreen Ando floundered in the competition after failing to record a lift in the clean-and-jerk putting her best lift of 99 kg in the snatch to waste.
