Hidilyn Diaz had an impressive debut in the women’s under-59 kg category at the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships at the Jinju Arena in South Korea on Sunday.
Despite finishing in fourth place with a total lift of 221 kg, Diaz showed that she had made significant progress in adjusting to her new weight class.
As the reigning Olympic champion in the under-55 kg category, Diaz faced a considerable challenge in moving up to a higher weight category. However, she demonstrated that she was up for the challenge by putting up an excellent performance at the competition held in the South Gyeongsang city.
Diaz ended up tied for fourth place with her compatriot, Elreen Ando, after lifting 99 kg in the snatch.
The Chinese duo of Luo Shifang and Pei Xinyi, along with Chinese Taipei’s Kuo Hsing-Chun, were ahead of them.
Despite not winning a medal, Diaz’s fourth-place finish was still commendable, considering that she was competing in a new weight class.
Diaz showed that she had made progress in adjusting to the new weight class by performing well in the clean and jerk event. She lifted 118 kg on her first attempt, and then increased the weight to 122 kg on her second attempt, which was her better lift.
Ando, however, struggled with the clean and jerk and was unable to lift 125 kg in her three attempts.
Luo Shifang won the gold medal with a total lift of 238 kg, followed by Pei Xinyi, who lifted 236 kg, and Kuo Hsing-Chun, who finished with a total lift of 230 kg, winning the bronze medal.
Only Vanessa Sarno remains for Team Pilipinas. She will be taking the stage on Monday.
