Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz will get a chance to acclimatize with the weather and continue training in Japan to prepare for at least a month before this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) president Monico Puentevella said Tuesday, April 27, that he already coordinated with other top sports officials for Diaz and her team to be in Japan early.
“May problema sa Japan, ayaw nila dumating ka dun (athlete) gusto nila five days before the competition (There is a problem in Japan, they don’t want the athletes to be there (early), they want five days before the competition,” said Puentevella in the online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.
“With the help of (Philippine Team Chef de Mission) Nonong Araneta, the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee), one month before the Games Diaz will be in Japan,” added the former Bacolod City mayor and congressman.
Puentevella said they have already inquired and will decide soon where Diaz and “Team HD” with Chinese head coach Kaiwen Gao and strength/conditioning coach Julius Naranjo will stay.
The idea, Puentevella said, is the venue of the hotel and the weightlifting facility should be close to Tokyo.
Diaz completed the required number of Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT) with six following her fourth place finish in the 55 kilograms women’s category in the Asian Championship last week in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The Tokyo Olympics will be Diaz’s fourth straight appearance in the Games as she tries to surpass her silver medal finish in Brazil back in 2016.
While the 30-year-old Diaz has already booked a spot in the Tokyo Olympics, Puentevella said there is still a chance for two other Filipino weightlifters to get to the tournament through the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
Vanessa Sarno, who bagged two gold medals and silver in the women’s 71kg division of the Asian meet, and Kristel Macrohon, who earned two bronze medals in the women’s 76kg, are still waiting for the final tabulation of points in the IWF world ranking.
“I have been praying for these two to qualify,” said Puentevella.
“After the other continental tournaments, like in Europe, and in Africa, they will compute the points. I have a good feeling na baka maka-tsamba itong dalawa (they get lucky) and make the Tokyo Olympics.”