Hidilyn Diaz officially qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

Hidilyn Diaz is now a step closer to claiming the Philippines' first Olympic gold medal after formalizing her qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Diaz officially qualified after her participation in the women's 55 kg event in the Asian Weightlifting Championships held in Uzbekistan on Sunday.

The Olympian settled for 4th place after lifting a total of 212 kg. Chinese athletes Qiuyun Liao (222 kg) and Yajun Li (221 kg) bagged the gold and silver medal, respectively. Uzbekistan's Muattar Nabieva claimed bronze with 213 kg.

Prior to the Asian championships, Diaz had already participated in the required number of tournaments to obtain a slot for the world's biggest sporting event.

Tokyo will be Diaz's fourth Olympics stint. She first joined the quadrennial event in 2008 in Beijing. She won a silver medal in the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.

Diaz is the seventh Filipino athlete that booked a slot in the Tokyo Games, following pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, and boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio, and Carlo Paalam. — Justin Kenneth Carandang/BM, GMA News