Tokyo Olympics champion Hidilyn Diaz may be lifting for the last time at the Southeast Asian Games as she vies for another gold in the women’s 58kg weightlifting division at the 33rd SEA Games in Chonburi, Thailand, on Sunday.
A two-time SEA Games gold medalist — winning in 2019 in Manila and 2022 in Hanoi — Diaz steps onto the platform not just as a competitor, but as a symbol of Filipino resilience and excellence.
At 34, she admits her preparation has been far from easy, juggling the demands of training younger athletes and promoting weightlifting across the country.
“Di ba parati kong sinasabi na I will do my best dito sa SEA Games? Medyo mahirap ‘yung preparasyon ko kasi ‘yung preparation of being an athlete, may goal ka, hindi ako ganun ngayon. Ang dami kong ginagawa on the side. Hindi ko nagagawa ng maayos,” Diaz said.
“Pero ngayon, hoping na I’m in the best shape with the help of my therapist and coaches na tinulungan ako to do my best.”
Still, she remains focused on the moment and the pride of representing the Philippines.
“I really have to enjoy the moment and be proud na I’m representing the Philippines in Southeast Asia,” she added.
Diaz will face stiff competition from Thailand’s Suratwadee Yodsarn, silver medalist in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total at last October’s Asian Championships, and Vietnam’s Thi Tam Quang, bronze medalist in the clean and jerk at the same event.
