Busy 2022 for Tokyo Olympic gold medalist
Hidilyn Diaz, the country's first Olympic gold medalist, is confident of winning the gold medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in May.
Since bagging the historic Olympic gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Diaz will mark her first competition come the SEA Games.
"Looking forward sa SEA Games. Ready na ako (I am ready and looking forward competing in the SEA Games)," said Diaz. "Gusto ko sabihin na medyo mahirap after winning the gold medal, na bumalik ulit. Pero heto ngayon na, nakabalik na and ready ulit na mag-training (It won't be easy getting back to training after winning the gold in the Olympics. But we're getting the hang of it. I'm ready to train again)."
READ: Diaz believes more Filipino athletes can win Olympic gold
The 31-year-old Zamboanga native weightlifter has set sights on winning back-to-back gold medal in the biennial meet after capturing her first mint in the 2019 Philippine edition.
Prior to that, Diaz notched two silvers in 2011 and 2013 in Indonesia and Myanmar, respectively. She also clinched her first SEA Games medal after finishing third in Thailand last 2007.
Focus would be on the 31st SEA Games first but Diaz bared a busy calendar for year 2022.
READ: Diaz slowly regaining groove after COVID-19 battle
After the SEA Games, Diaz, an Olympic record holder in the 55kg division, is set to compete in the Asian Games on Sept. in Hangzhou, China; the IWF World Championship, an Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics, tentatively on Nov.; and the Asian Championships on Dec. here in the Philippines,
Diaz also revealed that she needed to move up to the 59-kg division in the World Championship.
"Sure ako na mag-gold ako sa SEA Games. Sa Asian Games, gagawin ko ang best ko, then sa World Champion, gusto ko lang i-meet ang lahat ng expectations ng media (I am sure of winning the gold medal in SEA Games. I'll do my best in the Asian Games. In the World Championships, I just want to meet the expectations of the media)," said Diaz, also 2018 Asian Games gold medalist.
"Medyo mahirap 'to kasi aakyat ako ng body weight ng 59. Kasi wala nang 55 sa Olympics Paris, magiging 59. It takes time for me to win the gold medal again."