Hidilyn Diaz thanks supporters after bagging gold at Asian Games

Champion weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz on Wednesday thanked God, her family and supporters after she won a gold medal at the Asian Games 2018.

"Masaya ako sa naging resulta ng laro, sa lahat ng paghihirap na ginawa ko sa training, preparasyon, then na-surpass ko 'yung pressure na nararamdaman ko before the competition. So thankful ako kay God," she said in an interview on Unang Hirit.

Speaking in her local dialect, Diaz also thanked her family and townmates in Zamboanga City.

She also recognized the support of the rest of her countrymen.

"Maraming maraming salamat sa mga kababayan na sumusuporta, nagsisigaw, kinabahan at nag-pray para sa success ng Pilipinas at ako," Diaz said.

On Tuesday, Diaz lifted 92 kgs in the snatch and 115 kgs in the clean and jerk for a total of 207, enough to shove Turkmenistan’s Kristina Shermetova (206 kgs) to the silver medal. Thailand’s Khambao Surodchana completed the podium with 201 kgs.

Shermetova was the same woman who denied the Filipina the gold in last year’s world championships.

Asked if she was happy she beat Shermetova, Diaz said, "Yes po. Para sa akin, masaya kasi natalo ko sila."

The Pinay weightlifter also won P6 million in cash which she said she will use to invest in a business and celebrate with family and friends.

"Siguro po, business ang gagawin ko. Then more on savings and investments. And then siyempre, family. Then get-together with friends and church," Diaz said.

2020 Olympics

The Asian Games gold medalist said she is looking forward to more weightlifting competitions.

"Now looking forward sa iba pang laro," she said.

Diaz however said the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics won't be easy, so she needs everyone's support again.

"Hindi po madaling makapunta sa Olympics. Ang dami ko pa pong lalaruin na competition," she said.

"And I really need your prayers hanggang Tokyo 2020. At sana hindi ako maggi-give up hanggang sa Tokyo 2020 kasi sobrang hirap po talaga ng training, sobrang daming sakit na kailangang pagdaanan," Diaz added.

She won a silver medal in the 53-kg class in the weightlifting competition of the 2016 Rio Olympics. —KG, GMA News