By WAYLON GALVEZ
Based on the performance of athletes leading to the 30th Southeast Asian Games, the weightlifting national team is capable of winning five out of the 10 gold medals at stake in the biennial meet.
Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz is one of five weightlifters expected to win the gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games here. (Waylon Galvez)
Veteran mentor Toni Agustin said that while Hidilyn Diaz is a solid bet to win her first gold medal in the SEA Games, three other athletes in the women’s category and one in the men’s division are likewise expected to compete for the gold medal in the regional event.
“Sa tingin namin iyun ang pwedeng mai-deliver,” said Agustin yesterday after the practice session of the national team held at the weightlifting gym in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
A total of 10 gold medals are at stake in the weightlifting event, but the Philippines will only see action in nine events.
The members of the national team are John Fabuar Ceniza (55kg), Dave Llyod Pacaldo (61kg) and Nestor Colonia (67kg), while in the women’s are Mary Flor Diaz (45kg), Elien Rose Perez (49kg), Diaz (55kg), Margaret Colonia (59kg), Elreen Ann Ando (64) and Kristel Macrohon (71kg).
Agustin said the national team will not participate in the 73kg men’s category.
Aside from Diaz, the four athletes Agustin said expected to deliver are Ando, Macrohon and Mary Flor Diaz – a cousin of Hidilyn Diaz – while for the men’s is Ceniza.
“Ito iyung aming projections to mag-add to Hidilyn’s gold medal. Sila ang ang mga nakikita namin na pwedeng mag-deliver,” said Agustin.
Colonia, a gold medalist during the 2015 Asian Championship, said that moved up from his usual division of 61kg to 67kg only for this SEA Games since he is still in the process of recovering from a knee injury.
“Bumigat yung timbang niya after ma-injury. Hindi naman pwede nahabang nagpapagaling siya isasabay yung pag-diet niya. So linagay muna namin siya sa 67kg from 61kg,” said Agustin.
The weightlifters are continuing with their training program leading up to the regional meet set Dec. 1 to 4 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Agustin said the athletes are raring to compete.
“Ready na lahat sila, excited na nga to compete. Hopefully maganda ang ipakita namin lalo ditto gagawin sa atin ang SEA Games, sa harap n gating mga kababayan,” said Agustin.
For her part, Diaz, the silver medalist in the Rio Olympics and gold medal winner during the previous Asian Games, is currently in Taiwan for another training camp and she is expected to return a few days before the opening of the SEA Games on Nov. 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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