DISCOVERING the next generation of weightlifters who will someday make it to the Olympics.
This is the dream of organizers who are behind the 2017 Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Open Championships.
“Ang sabi ko nuon, sino ang susunod sa yapak ko? Sino ang gagawa ng competition. Alam ko mahirap. Pero sa tulong ng MVP Sports Foundation, ng UP, ng PWA at ng Crossfit Ortigas, nagawa ito,” said Diaz.
Diaz talked of the staging of the tournament that will be held in her honor during a presentation yesterday at the Meralco Fitness Center in Pasig City.
With participation initially expected to reach 150, the tournament is set to be held from July 8 and 9 at the Meralco facility.
“Marami siyang katulong sa kanyang pangarap,” said MVP Sports Foundation executive director Patricia Hizon.
There will be 16 weight categories in this two-day meet, with eight in the men, and eight in the women’s side.
Philippine Weightlifting Association president Monico Puentevella said this event will be considered as a qualifying competition for the Asian Games, the Southeast Asian Games and other international meets.
“Baka may makita tayong wonder boy or wonder girl dito,” said Puentevella, who just came back from the International Weightlifting Congress in Bangkok the other day.
Prizes will be up for grabs in the men’s 58 kg class, along with those in the categories of 62, 69, 77, 85, 94, 105 and over 105 kg.
In women’s action, medals are at stake in the 48kg side, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69kg, 75 kg, 90 kg and over 90 kg.
In order to spark interest in the sport, lucrative cash prizes will be given away to the winners.