MANILA, Philippines – The tactic employed by Team Hidilyn Diaz (HD) to bring home the Philippines’ first-ever gold medal from the Olympic Games has been revealed by Monico Puentevella, head of Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas.
According to Puentevella, team HD’s game plan was not to force Diaz to bring home the gold in the Asian Weightlifting Championships held last April in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This tactic would actually hide her possible numbers from the opponents, particularly China.
“Pero sinabi ko rin na huwag niya pwersahing mag-gold kasi kapag nag-gold ka . . . Sabi ko sa mga coaches, ’wag natin ibuhos ’yung ating kaya kasi babantayan tayo. Nag-champion sila [China], pinalabas nilang kaya nila,” Puentevella said.
During the competition, Diaz placed fourth lifting only 212 kg. World record holder Liao Quiyun of China emerged victorious lifting 222kg, while her teammate Li Yajun won the silver medal lifting 221 kg.
Team HD then used the possible numbers of her opponents during her training in Malaysia. Diaz’s goal was to surpass the numbers her opponents reached during the Asian Games.
“Kung ano yung kanilang nakaya, ’yun ang tinira sa practice ni Hidi. Kaya dun sa Kuala Lumpur pagbalik, ’yun lang tinutukan niya. At alam niya na kaya niya pala ang world record holder na Chinese kagabi (Monday),”Puentavella explained.
Indeed, Diaz’s poor performance at the Asian Weightlifting Championships shocked the Chinese coaches and her opponents when she posted an Olympic record of 224kg and beat Liao who lifted 223kg at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Diaz’s victory ended the country’s 97-year gold medal drought.
“Akala ng Chinese coaches bugbugin pa rin nila si Hidi. Sanay sila na talunin si Hidi but this one is a different Hidi. Talagang nakita ng Pilipinas na maski anong problema, anong dinaanang hirap pero kaya. She wants to show kahit gaano kahirap, lalaban tayo,” Puentevella added.
— Mini, The Summit Express
According to Puentevella, team HD’s game plan was not to force Diaz to bring home the gold in the Asian Weightlifting Championships held last April in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This tactic would actually hide her possible numbers from the opponents, particularly China.
 |
| PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Coach Jeaneth Aro |
“Pero sinabi ko rin na huwag niya pwersahing mag-gold kasi kapag nag-gold ka . . . Sabi ko sa mga coaches, ’wag natin ibuhos ’yung ating kaya kasi babantayan tayo. Nag-champion sila [China], pinalabas nilang kaya nila,” Puentevella said.
During the competition, Diaz placed fourth lifting only 212 kg. World record holder Liao Quiyun of China emerged victorious lifting 222kg, while her teammate Li Yajun won the silver medal lifting 221 kg.
Team HD then used the possible numbers of her opponents during her training in Malaysia. Diaz’s goal was to surpass the numbers her opponents reached during the Asian Games.
“Kung ano yung kanilang nakaya, ’yun ang tinira sa practice ni Hidi. Kaya dun sa Kuala Lumpur pagbalik, ’yun lang tinutukan niya. At alam niya na kaya niya pala ang world record holder na Chinese kagabi (Monday),”Puentavella explained.
Indeed, Diaz’s poor performance at the Asian Weightlifting Championships shocked the Chinese coaches and her opponents when she posted an Olympic record of 224kg and beat Liao who lifted 223kg at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Diaz’s victory ended the country’s 97-year gold medal drought.
“Akala ng Chinese coaches bugbugin pa rin nila si Hidi. Sanay sila na talunin si Hidi but this one is a different Hidi. Talagang nakita ng Pilipinas na maski anong problema, anong dinaanang hirap pero kaya. She wants to show kahit gaano kahirap, lalaban tayo,” Puentevella added.
— Mini, The Summit Express
