RIO DE JANEIRO—Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz bid her teammates goodbye Tuesday, then boarded an Emirates flight back to the Philippines where she will be treated like a queen the moment she lands at the airport.
Diaz joined the Philippine delegation here in a thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Philippine Olympic Committee. From the restaurant, she and fellow weightlifter Nestor Colonia, and coach Alfonso Aldanete were brought to the airport.
They were scheduled to depart at 2 a.m. Wednesday for a journey that will take at least 25 hours via Dubai. POC second vice president Col. Jeff Tamayo accompanied the small but victorious group in the long flight back home.
Diaz was toasted and cheered during the dinner of Brazilian steak, salad and wine. The Philippine Ambassador to Brazil, Jose Burgos, graced the affair, among other guests, including Brazilians who work for the Games.
The 25-year-old Diaz, who gave the Philippines its first Olympic medal in 20 years, held back her tears as she bid her teammates, including those who are still in contention, goodbye. Most of them have been here in Rio since July 23.
“Excited na ako umuwi pero malungkot din ako kasi iiwan ko na kayo. Napamahal na ako sa lahat ng kasama ko dito,” said Diaz, who added that she can’t wait to see her parents, Eduardo and Emelita, once she arrives in Manila.
Diaz’s parents will be flown to Manila from Zamboanga City.
From the NAIA Terminal 3, the country’s first weightlifter to win an Olympic medal will be accompanied by officials of the Philippine Sports Commission to Davao City, where she is meeting President Duterte.
“Good luck sa inyo. Kaya niyo yan,” said Diaz, referring to six of her teammates who are still seeing action it the Rio Olympics.
They are swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, who will race in the women’s 100m freestyle at 1 p.m. Wednesday, golfer Miguel Tabuena who will compete from Aug. 11 to 14, marathoner Mary Joy Tabal who will race on Aug. 14, and long jumper Marestella Torres Sunang and 400m hurdles entry Eric Cray who will both see action on Aug. 16.
Taekwondo’s Kirstie Elaine Alora will be the last Filipino athlete to compete in this Summer Games, in the women’s +67 kg class on Aug. 20, which is the eve of the closing ceremony.
“Like everybody else in our team, I will do my best,” said Alkhaldi, who’s in her second straight Olympics. She said she worked hard in training in Hawaii, under coach Jennifer Buffin, and hoped to do better than she did in 2012 in London.
“I felt I was too young then. I felt like a baby in the waters,” said the 23-year-old Alkhaldi. “This time I’m more comfortable. I feel better competing now.”
Tabuena, who’s enjoying the best season of his young professional career, is confident that he can put up a good show against the world’s best, including Justine Rose, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson.
Not in the field are top guns Jason Day and Rory McIlroy.
“I guess that makes it a little easier for us,” said Tabuena, will tee off at the par-71 Olympic Golf Course at 9:47 a.m. (8:47 p.m. in Manila), together with Yuta Ikeda and Roope Kako.
Filipino athletes who have bowed out of the competition here are boxers Charly Suarez and Rogen Ladon, table tennis’ Ian Lariba, swimmer Jessie Khing Lacuna, judoka Kodo Nakano and Colonia.
Nakano, a last-minute substitute, was overpowered by Italy’s Marconcini Mateo in only one minute and 19 seconds by Ippon Tuesday morning.
Nakano, a first-time Olympian, couldn’t handle his Italian opponent, a silver medalist in the Almaty Grand Prix in Kazahkstan only last May.
“Malakas. Magaling,” said Nakano.
The Filipino-Japanese was still feeling the effects of jetlag, arriving here in Rio barely four days ago as a late replacement for an Iranian who withdrew at the last minute.
“I’m still happy. Olympics,” said Nakano.
“Laban not very good,” added the judoka who hopes to represent the country in more international competitions like the SEA Games, Asian Games or World Championships.