Diaz back in Malacca

Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz should get an idea whether she still has it when she competes in the World Weightlifting Championships from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) leadership said yesterday.

“She will now train in Malaysia, she will get into serious training and she will decide with coach Julius (Naranjo) if she still has the fire or if she still has the hunger to win the gold,” SWP president Monico Puentevella said.

“The world championships and Olympics are different. I ‘m not sure what they will decide on. It will depend on the next two years.”

Diaz is already back in Malacca, Malaysia, to get ready for the worlds.

It was also in Malacca where Diaz camped out in preparation for Tokyo last year.

Diaz placed third in the last edition of the tournament in 2019 at Pattaya, Thailand where she lifted 214 kilograms in the women’s 55kg event.

Liao Qiuyun of China, who would later lose to Diaz in Tokyo, set a world record lift of 227 kgs with compatriot Zhang Wanquiong claiming silver after lifting 222kgs.

Still, for Puentevella, it will be up to them whether they will rest on their laurels or have one more shot at Olympic glory.

“It’s up to them. They’ll be the ones to decide,” Puentevella said.