Hidilyn Diaz shares update on her transition from 55kg to 59kg for Paris Olympics

Hidilyn Diaz knows her road to another shot at an Olympic gold will be tougher.

The Filipina weightlifting ace has started her transition from competing in 55kg category to 59kg category as she shoots for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics through an qualifying tournament set next month.

And Diaz shared she's slowly gaining the confidence in her new weight category while also saying she's halfway through her preparation for the qualifiers.

"Sa ngayon, so far, naka-recover na. Medyo mahirap kasi nga queen ako sa 55, sabi pa ng sports psychologist ko 'magaling ka talaga sa 55'. Pero 'yun nga, sa 59, it really takes a lot of preparation, a lot of sacrifices, a lot of pain and challenges pero ngayon, masasabi ko na nasa kalagitnaan na ako," Diaz said in a press conference on Thursday.

"I was able to overcome the struggles, the challenges. I will do my best for Paris 2024. Sa ngayon, one step at a time muna," she said.

Diaz has been used to competing in the 55kg category, where she also delivered the country's first-ever gold medal during the 2020 Olympics in Japan. But as the competition gets tougher, Diaz also wants to up the ante.

She said everything takes time and practice, even for a champion herself.

"Sa ngayon ang goal ko is step there and masabi ko na ito na. Ito na 'yung start ng 59 ko and na ito na 'yung competition na nasa 59 na ako," said Diaz, who is currently in Japan for her training.

"Kasi sa ngayon, I just really have to gain the confidence na kaya ko then eventually nando'n na 'yung strength."

The 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships will run from May 3 to 13 in South Korea, where Diaz will go up against compatriot Elreen Ando in the same weight class. With this, she will also skip the 32nd Southeast Asian Games due to conflict in schedule.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News