Hidilyn seeks IWF post

Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz seeks to become part of the powerful Athletes Commission when the International Weightlifting Federation holds its election during the World Championships in Bogota, Colombia next week.

The 31-year-old Diaz will be among the 21 candidates who will vie for the six positions, three of which will sit in the IWF executive board while the other three will serve as voting members in the IWF Congress.

Aside from Diaz, two other Asians are seeking elective posts in Behad Salimikordasiabi and Fares Ibrahim Elbakh of Qatar while three Africans, five Europeans and seven Pan-Americans are also looking to get elected.

Diaz, who is already part of the Athletes Commission of the Philippine Olympic Committee, is already on his way to the Colombian capital after wrapping up her training at the Power and Grace Performance Gym in Georgia.

He is tipped to leave the United States on Thursday together with her husband and coach Julius Naranjo to compete in the women's 55-kilogram event.

She is coming in as the second seed after submitting a total lift of 210 kilograms, five kilos behind Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Sulfiya Chinshanlo of Kazakhstan.

The top six in the prestigious 26-lifter event will punch tickets in the Paris Olympics in 2024.

The Olympics, however, will not be easy for Diaz as the organizers scrapped the 55-kg event, leaving her with no choice but to compete in the lighter 49-kg or 59-kg division.