Along with the victory, Hidilyn Diaz’s camp admitted that they also considered quitting the Olympics medal dream.
According to Hidilyn’s cousin and first coach Catalino “Catz” Diaz, the weightlifter had a severe depression before the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Diaz won the silver medal.
Diaz was fighting depression due to his injury, loss of coach, and lack of support.
If she did not win a medal then, she would give up weightlifting.
But now, the coach has full of joy and pride after Diaz won the Olympic gold.
She couldn’t sleep with the size of Hidilyn’s win because she knew the number of sacrifices she made.
“Pinagawa ko po ‘yan para ma-push po siya to get the gold. Sabi niya nakaka-pressure naman itong pinagawa mo. Okay lang ‘yan at least meron kang vision. Ito ang goal ko,” said Catz.
And in an interview, Diaz said she still can’t believe her accomplishment.
She admitted that even in training, she couldn’t do 127 kilograms, so what the world saw on Monday was her first successful attempt at the 127-kilogram clean and jerk.
Diaz confirmed that she would continue her weightlifting career as long as she can.
“Hindi ako mag-stop dahil kaya ko pa. Nakita ko ang galing ko, at alam ko na may ibibigay pa ako para sa Pilipinas,” said Diaz.
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Hidilyn Diaz once thought of giving up Olympics journey
She said she will now focus on training and preparing for the Southeast Asian Games and World Championship.
Among those celebrating were her loved ones – particularly her mother, Emelita.
She said that her daughter’s achievement still seems like a dream, whom she has not seen for more than 1 year due to the weightlifter’s intensive training in another country.
“Sabi ni Hidi, maraming maraming salamat Mang… Nagdasal kami para sa kanya. Thank you Mang, kay dahil daw sa dasal…kung hindi dahil sa dasal hindi siya manalo,” said Emelita.
Hidilyn has not yet said when she will return to the Philippines, but Emilita plans not to go to Manila and wait for her daughter to return to their house in Zamboanga.
Diaz will receive a P33 million cash incentive from the private and public sectors.
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