Diaz targets 3rd SEAG gold

CHONBURI, Thailand — Tokyo Olympics champion Hidilyn Diaz vies for another Southeast Asian Games crown on Sunday in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games weightlifting competitions at the Chonburi Sports School.

She is entered in the women’s 58kg division with the competition starting at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Manila time).

Diaz previously won the SEA Games gold in 2019 in Manila and 2022 in Hanoi.

The 34-year-old Diaz tempered expectations about her chances of winning the gold medal since she has been very busy in other weightlifting-related activities, such as training younger athletes and helping propagate the sport in the country.

What Diaz is promising, though, is that she will give her best, just like in past competitions.

Diaz recognizes the expectations back home and says all she needs to do is not think about it too much and enjoy the competition.

“I really have to enjoy the moment and be proud that I’m representing the Philippines in Southeast Asia,” Diaz said.