Hidilyn Diaz, Asians barred from Cali competition

By Waylon Galvez

A classic case of Asian xenophobia, brought about in likelihood by the widespread COVID-19, appeared to have been in full display in a weightlifting Olympic qualifier in South America.

Despite approval from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz was barred by organizers from competing in the South American-Ibero American and Open Senior’s Championship set March 18 to 23 in Cali, Colombia.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said the IWF has already confirmed that Diaz can participate, but organizers of the event, reports said, had disallowed foreign participants from Europe and Asia.

It is not clear, according to Puentevella, if the decision was based on the worldwide spread of COVID-19 although it looks that way.

Last week, Puentevella – in an interview with The Bulletin – said that he thought Diaz and her team, which included Chinese mentor Kaiwen Gao and strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo, were headed to Colombia since they had already secured tickets.

“In the meantime, Hidilyn and her group will continue training in Malaysia,” Puentevella said in an email later.

Diaz was supposed to compete in the Asian Championship in Kazakhstan, but the organizers begged off because of the health situation. Uzbekistan was offered hosting rights but even the Uzbeks declined.

Diaz is currently No. 5 in the 55kg women’s category of the IWF world ranking with 3,717.0982 points, behind Chinese lifters in Jiang Huihua (4,667.8878), Liao Qiuyun (4,288.9622), Zhang Wangqiong (4,212.6639) and Li Yajun (4,099.0223).

Under the IWF rules, however, only one weightlifter per country will advance to Tokyo this July where only the top eight athletes per category will earn Olympic spots.

One of the requirements of the IWF for an athlete to be considered is a completion of six OQTs.

Puentevella, a former member of the IWF, has proposed to the international federation – which will meet starting Wednesday in Lausanne, Switzerland — to reconsider its rules for this year due to the many cancellations because of the COVID-19 scare.

“Review the six-event qualifying policy, and reduce it to five events due to the unforeseen circumstances affecting not only weightlifting but all sports. This is not the fault of the athletes. It’s lockdown everywhere,” said Puentevella.

“I’m optimistic that the IWF Board will reconsider our plea and resolve this problem at hand in fairness to all associations worldwide.”

Aside from Diaz, also needing to compete for their sixth OQT are Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Kristel Macrohon, Rio Olympic veteran Nestor Colonia, Eileen Ando, John Ceniza and Mary Flor Diaz.

Source: Manila Bulletin