Hidilyn opts for local training

Hidilyn Diaz opted to stay in the country as she prepares for the IWF World Cup in Phuket set from 31 March to 11 April.

Speaking at the sidelines of the Athletes’ Commission elections over the weekend, Diaz said there’s no need for her to go abroad to prepare for the crucial event that offers qualifying points for the Paris Olympics this year.

After all, the tourney will be held in the Thai coastal town of Phuket, which has a climate that is very similar to her training site in Jala-Jala in Rizal province.

“We will train in Jala-Jala and, sometimes, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. There’s no need for acclimatization. We just have to be there in Thailand at least a week before the tournament,” said Diaz, who is currently at the seventh spot in the women’s 59-kilogram category of the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification ranking of the International Weightlifting Federation.

She needs to stay in the top 10 of the rankings to formally gain an outright berth in the Summer Games set from 26 July to 11 August.

“For now, my goal is to qualify and gain some confidence. After that, four months to prepare for Paris.”

With a strong showing in the Thai event on her radar, Diaz decided to skip the AWF Seniors Cup in Tashkent from 3 to 10 February.

She said she is getting used to her weight category as she hopes to end her Olympic stint on a high note.

Should she qualify, the 32-year-old weightlifter will be the first Filipino athlete to compete in five consecutive editions of the Summer Games as she competed in 2008 in Beijing, 2012 in London, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and 2021 in Tokyo.

“I’m getting better,” said Diaz, who struggled in the heavier weight class during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou last year.

“We’re getting there. I’m getting stronger and I’m more focused now for Paris 2024 since it will be my last Olympic stint.”