At A Glance
- BANGKOK – Hidilyn Diaz knows she's already at the twilight of her weightlifting career and she's hoping for one last hurrah in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
BANGKOK – Hidilyn Diaz knows she’s already at the twilight of her weightlifting career and she’s hoping for one last hurrah in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Speaking before the Philippine media at the end of her stint in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Diaz revealed plans to move up a weight class and participate in the Olympic qualifying for LA Games
“Hoping next year nasa Olympic qualifying ako for LA,” said Diaz.
“Pero nagbago na rin ang weight category. It's keep changing, third time na ito ngayon. So tingnan natin, 61 kilos naman,” she added.
Diaz, who won the gold medal in the women’s 55-kilogram in the Tokyo Olympics, participated in the 58kg class in the SEA Games where she narrowly missed the podium after placing fourth.
The 34-year-old Filipina, however, was far from her top shape especially with the short preparation time and a nagging knee injury.
Although expressing interest in the LA Olympics, Diaz is already laying out the plans for her retirement.
“Depende sa takbo ng mga plano. May mga plano na and nandun na tayo. Malapit na sa retirement,” said Diaz.
“Pero syempre kailangan natin tingnan kung ano ba. Ayan yung problema ng athlete.
After winning gold, what's next? To be sports leader? I will be a lecturer next year. So what's next for Hidilyn Diaz? Medyo magulo pa ang isip,” she added.
“Definitely hindi pa pero nandun na.And dahil dito sa competition na ito nagkaroon ako ng fire.”