Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez is all positive on Hidilyn Diaz’s campaign to dominate the 30th Southeast Asian Games and qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“She’ll make it!” said Ramirez, also the chef of mission to the SEA Games as Diaz, a double-bronze medalist in the world weightlifting championships paid him a visit on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The 28-year-old Diaz bagged bronze medals in the 55 kg division after lifting a combined weight of 214 kgs in the snatch and clean and jerk in the worlds. She needs at least two more competitions to cement her slot in the Tokyo Olympics.
Ramirez welcomed the three-time Olympian Diaz, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) President Monico Puentevella and the rest of the national weightlifting team who competed in the worlds Thailand hosted in Pattaya recently.
“For me, these are gold medals,” Ramirez said, referring to the bronze Diaz brought home from Thailand.
“I would like to thank the PSC and other sponsors for their continuous support to my campaign. Now, I will continue on my mission to qualify and win gold in Tokyo, and also represent the country for the SEA Games,” said Diaz, who is looking for her first gold medal finish in the SEA Games this November.
Ramirez assured Diaz that the PSC will support her participation in three other qualifying competitions for Tokyo 2020.
Diaz said that she is focused on her mission to win an Olympic gold medal.
Puentevella, meanwhile, bared that besides Diaz, three other weightlifters are set to qualify for Tokyo 2020.
“We are also looking at our veteran weightlifters Nestor Colonia, Elreen Ando and Kristel Macrohon to join Hidilyn in qualifying for Tokyo,” Puentevella said.
