Ramirez likes Diaz’s chances

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez beams confidence over the chances of Hidilyn Diaz to book a return flight to the Olympics.

Ramirez, who is also the chief of mission of Team Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, said he believes that the Olympic slot is for Diaz to take following an impressive performance in the IWF World Weightlifting Championships recently in Pattaya, Thailand.

Diaz emerged with two bronze medals in the women’s 55-kilogram division after lifting a combined weight of 214 kilograms in the snatch and clean and jerk categories.

Diaz, the silver medalist in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, needs two more competitions to seal her slot in the Tokyo Olympics next year.

“She will make it,” said Ramirez during Diaz’s courtesy call Thursday at the PSC main office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“For me, her bronze medals shine like gold.”

Diaz said she thanks the PSC for bankrolling her campaign and its all-out support to her bid of shooting the country’s first Olympic gold medal.

“I would like to thank the PSC and other sponsors for their continuous support to my campaign. Now, I will continue my mission to qualify and win gold in Tokyo and also represent the country in the SEA Games,” said Diaz, who is hunting her first SEA Games gold medal this November.

Aside from Diaz, three other weightlifters in Nestor Colonia, Elreen Ando and Kristel Macrohon are also shooting for Olympic slots.

Ramirez assured Diaz that the government would back her all the way.

“The government will continue to give its utmost support to Hidilyn and all our athletes competing in the Southeast Asian Games,” he said.