Diaz’s advice: believe in yourself, don’t quit

From left to right, Amparito Lhuillier, Hidilyn Diaz and Michel Lhuillier at the Michel’s Bistro ( CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO).

FOR OLYMPIC silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, there’s really not much special talent needed to become a successful weightlifter.

In a seminar attended by a mix of aspiring athletes and coaches at the Cebu City Sports Club Cebu dubbed “How to Build Olympians,” the 25-year-old native from Zamboanga shared a simple yet effective technique on how to succeed in whatever sport one wishes to compete in—never quit and believe in oneself.

“There were times that I told myself that I had enough [and that] it’s time to quit. But I remembered everything I went through to get here and that’s what keeps me pushing,” Diaz, who won a silver medal in the women’s 53-kilogram weight lifting event of the Rio Olympics last month, said. “I just cried [when I felt like giving up] and the morning after that I’m fine. There are a lot of things that happened in my life so [I ask myself] why am I going to give up right now? I have a goal and I believe in myself that I will reach that goal.”

Diaz was a guest speaker of the seminar along with Olympian boxer Charlie Suarez and Philippine Sports Commission strength and conditioning trainer Jay Futalan.

Diaz was in Cebu since Friday and she visited several weightlifting headquarters and gyms in Cebu City.

Last Saturday evening Michel Lhuillier, Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC) chairman and French honorary consul, hosted a dinner for Diaz, Suarez and Futalan at the Michel’s Bistro.

The seminar was organized by the Epic Performance and Fitness group of strength and conditioning trainer Pio Solon.