TOKYO Olympic Games weightlifting champ Hidylin Diaz-Naranjo attained another golden milestone early morning yesterday (Wednesday night in South America), sweeping all three mints in the women’s 55Kg division of the 30th IWF World Weightlifting Championships at the Gran Carpa Americas Corferias in Bogota, Colombia.
Diaz hoisted 93 kilograms in the snatch and 114 kilos in the clean-and-jerk for a total lift of 207 kilos in essaying a memorable and dominant performance in her sixth outing in the world meet held.
The Zamboanga City pride had never won a gold in the past editions of the competition, her previous best a silver medal in the clean-and-jerk in the 53kg class at the 2017 meet in Anaheim, California.
Diaz, 31, added the World Championship title to her illustrious collection that includes gold medals from the Tokyo Olympics, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games.
Hometown bet Rosalba Morales was relegated to second but still gave her compatriots something to cheer about, clinching a pair of silver medals in the clean-and-jerk and (110kg) and total lifts (199) plus a bronze medal in the snatch (89kg).
Mexico’s Ana Lopez Ferrer took a silver and bronze in the snatch (90kg) and combined lifts (198kg), respectively, while Peru’s Shoely Mego bagged the bronze in the clean-and-jerk (109kg).
Another Pinoy lifter, John Ceniza finished 12th overall in the men’s 61kg category with lifts of 125, 155 and 280 kilos in the snatch, clean-and-jerk and total lifts, respectively.
“Hidy is truly a remarkable athlete and still performed well even if she is now married. Her mental strength is really amazing,” gushed weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella, who witnessed his ward’s latest conquest at ringside.
“She had some minor problems but was able to overcome them because she truly has the heart of a champion,” added Puentevella, who had gone straight to Bogota after watching the FIFA World Cup matches in Doha, Qatar.
“This recent breakthrough of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz is proof that Filipinos are strong and talented individuals,” said Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
“We are truly grateful to Team HD for this is a result of hard work … a combination of determination, continuous training and confidence … and she knows that there are people behind her who truly supports her.
“Greatness comes when special people congregate and unite for a common goal.”
“With the help of sports community and Hidilyn’s effort, truly her talent is uniquely a force to be reckoned with.
Tolentino said the victory augurs well for the country’s bid for another gold in the Paris Olympics in 2024, adding: “We firmly believe that our preparation for the Paris Olympics is timely.”
Puentevella, the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president, thanked the Philippine Sports Commission under the leadership of chairman Noli Eala for the support the PSC gave to the national team competing at the worlds, adding that Diaz’s achievement is sure to fire up the rest of her teammates still vying in the meet.
Tokyo Olympic Games veteran Elreen Ann Ando is scheduled to see action in the women’s 59kg class today (Thursday in South America) while 2020 Asian champion Vanessa Sarno is set to make her debut in the competition on Dec. 12 in the 71kg division.
