Diaz to speak at ‘Process of Building Olympians’ forum

Rio Olympics silver medallist Hidilyn Diaz is flanked by Pio Gerardo Solon – Program Director, EPIC Fitness and Silver Charity Mercado – Epic Fitness Chief Operating Officer, at the Epic Fitness Gym in Oakridge, Mandaue City. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO

RIO Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz will be the guest speaker in the “Process of Building Olympians” seminar at the City Sports Club Cebu, this Sunday.

Diaz, the lone medalist of the Philippine team in the Rio Games last month, said that she is delighted with the growing interest that weightlifting is getting following her win in Rio.

Diaz arrived in Cebu yesterday.

As the ambassador of her sport, Diaz said she hopes to motivate the younger generation of weighlifters –the women especially – to continue chasing their dream be it in sport or in life.

“I will share with them how I overcame the many failures I’ve faced and how I fought to reach the top and earn this medal,” Diaz said showing the silver hardware, during an interview at the Epic Performance and Fitness headquarters at the Oakridge Pavillion in Mandaue City.

Diaz acknowledged that she has gained enormous popularity since winning silver in the women’s 53-kilogram class in Rio and she intends to use this to draw young people to her sport. “Before I have to explain to people what weight lifting is. But now, I can sense that the sport is getting more popular.”

For this Sunday’s talk, Diaz said she will focus on her experience in Rio, her preparations, the setbacks and how she overcame them.

The 25-year old Zamboanga lifter who is a Philippine Air Force reservist is already targetting no less than the gold in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

The seminar this Sunday is organized by former Philippine Olympic Team strength and conditioning trainer Pio Solon. Diaz will be joined by Olympian boxer Charlie Suarez and Philippine Olympic Team strength and conditioning trainer Jay Futalan.