Hidilyn Diaz to join Philippine sports icons in PSA Hall of Fame
MANILA, Philippines – Filipina weightlifting icon Hidilyn Diaz will add another feather to her cap.
Diaz, the country’s first Olympic champion, will be enshrined by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) in its Hall of Fame during its Awards Night at the Manila Hotel on January 27.
Her crowning moment comes almost four years after Diaz ended the Philippines’ near century-long search for an Olympic gold medal when she emerged victorious in the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Diaz, who also won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, represented the country in four straight editions of the quadrennial showpiece, including the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games.
She will share center stage with gymnastics star Carlos Yulo, who will be feted with the coveted Athlete of the Year honors.
Drawing inspiration from Diaz, Yulo became the Philippines’ first double Olympic gold medalist as he ruled the floor exercise and vault events of the Paris Olympics last year.
Only 33 years old, Diaz is set to become the youngest member of the PSA Hall of Fame, which includes other icons Manny Pacquiao (boxing), Paeng Nepomuceno (bowling), Efren “Bata” Reyes (billiards), Lydia de Vega (athletics), Eugene Torre (chess), and Bong Coo (bowling).
Late FIDE president Florencio Campomanes is also a part of the PSA Hall of Fame.
Diaz enjoyed a long spell as the country’s premier weightlifter, with her four Athlete of the Year plums serving as proof.
Only Nepomuceno and Pacquiao have more Athlete of the Year wins with five each.
Although Diaz is near the twilight of her career as she missed qualification for the last Olympics, her prominence has put a spotlight on her sport, with many young weightlifters seeking to follow in her footsteps.
In the Paris Games, the Philippines sent Elreen Ando, Vanessa Sarno, and John Ceniza for its biggest Olympic weightlifting cast since 1988. – Rappler.com