Hidilyn Diaz expects tough competition at Vietnam SEA Games

Despite being the heavy favorite to win the gold, Hidilyn Diaz is still expecting a tough competition at the 31st Southeast Asian Games weightlifting competition slated from May 19 to 22 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Diaz, who made history as the first Filipino athlete to ever win an Olympic gold medal, said she acknowledges that her opponents prepared hard for the tournament and that she isn't taking anyone lightly.

"Everyone of us can win a gold medal and I can't cite names because all of us are doing our best to perform at the highest level," said the 31-year-old Diaz.

"I can't make any prediction since all the athletes are capable of winning a gold medal."

Diaz arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday, along with head trainer Julius Naranjo, nutritionist Jeaneth Aro, and sports psychologist Dr. Karen Trinidad. She immediately plunged into training at the Steel Saigon gym to prepare for her gold medal bid in the women's 55kg category on May 20.

In the 2019 Philippine SEA Games, Diaz ruled her category to hike the country's medal haul.

"I'll train for one week here in Ho Chi Minh City to prepare myself," said the Zamboanga native.

Aside from Diaz, other Filipino weightlifters are set to see action in the Games with reigning Asian champion Vanessa Sarno (-71 kg), Tokyo Olympian Erleen Ann Ando (64 kg), 2019 SEA Games gold medalist Kristel Macrohon (+71 kg), 2019 SEA Games silver medalist Margaret Colonia, Asian Championships silver winner Mary Flor Diaz (45 kg), and Rosegie Ramos (49 kg).

The men's team members are Rio Olympics bet Nestor Colonia (67 kg), Fernando Agad (55kg), John Dexter Tabique (-89kg), Rowel Garcia (61kg), John Kevin Padullo (+89kg), and Lemon Tarro (73kg).

They will be joined by coaches Gregorio Colonia, Nicolas Jaluag, Gary Hortelano, and Patrick Lee.

—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News