Olympian weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz said she is confident of winning a gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
But it will be a little challenging now that she has moved on to the women’s 55-kg category.
“Prepared ako. Alam ko mananalo ako sa SEA Games. Ang concern ko lang ay paano ako magka-qualify sa Olympics. Mahirap mag-qualify sa Olympics,” said Diaz, who has moved up from the 53 kg. weight class.
Diaz talked about her ongoing preparations during the Usapang Sports Forum of the Tabloid Organization of Philippine Sports at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila.
The 28-year-old Diaz recently returned from a training stint in China.
She spent weeks at the Wushishan Sports Training Center.
Diaz’s efforts paid off after she claimed a silver medal in the 55kg category of the recent Asian Championship.
Later this year, Diaz will have her own China training again with the help of the Philippine Sports Commission.
And this will help her get ready for the for the world championships in September in Pattaya, Thailand.
Meanwhile, 10 Filipino weightlifters are set to leave for Fujian on Monday to train there for more than a month in preparation for two important tournaments this year, as well as the 2019 SEA Games.