Far from home: Weightlifter's quest for first Philippines Olympic gold


Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines writing notes during a training session in Jasin in the Malaysian city of Malacca. Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who took silver at Rio 2016, has been stuck in Malaysia since February last year because of the coronavirus pandemic but has been determined to realise her dream of becoming the first Olympic gold medal winner from Philippines. - AFP

JASIN (Malaysia), May 27 (AFP): Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz grunts with the effort of hoisting a barbell over her head in an outdoor makeshift gym ringed by banana and rambutan trees as trucks thunder past -- an unlikely training base for a shot at Olympic gold in Tokyo.

Diaz, 30, who took silver at Rio 2016, has been stuck in Malaysia since February last year because of the coronavirus pandemic but has remained determined to realise her dream of becoming the first Olympic gold medal winner from the Philippines.

Subscribe now and receive FREE sooka plan for 1 month.
T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Aseanplus News

Cricket-ICC in talks with boards over non-payment of T20 World Cup dues to players
Talks spotlight cyberbullying in Brunei schools
Vietnam looks to restart nuclear power projects
Future Lao legal practitioners welcome Japan International Cooperation Agency experts’ lecture
Free condoms, HIV testing for public during Cambodian Water Festival
Late Mandopop diva Coco Lee’s grave falls into disrepair after just one year, leaving fans heartbroken
Malaysia, Singapore sign MOU to combat cross-border crime
Quiboloy undergoes more medical tests at Philippine Children’s hospital, says police
Three-day series of events to mark two years of Madani Govt
Chiang Mai flights cancelled, rescheduled for lantern festival

Others Also Read