IN a bit of a compromise, Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidylin Diaz and 32nd Cambodia Southeast Asian Games champ Elreen Ann Ando will avoid a head-on clash and will instead compete in different weight classes in the Smart Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas Championships in Bacolod, Negros Occidental today.
“I have talked to both lifters and Ando has agreed to go back to the 64kg division while Diaz will be vying in the 59kg division since both of them want to compete in the Hangzhou Asian Games,” weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella said.
The ongoing national meet, which is being held at the SM Bacolod mall, serves as the national team tryouts, with the winner in each class representing the country in the Hangzhou Asiad in September.
Earlier reports said Diaz, who won the Tokyo Olympics gold medal in the 55kg class, and Ando were set to lock horns in the 59kg class. Ando saw action in the 64kg category in the Tokyo Olympics.
Puentevella pointed out that there will be a 64kg division in the continental sportsfest set Sept. 23 to Oct. 8.
However, he said the two will clash in the 59kg division in the World Weightlifting Championships, an Olympic qualifying event, set Sept. 3 to 15 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
