Hidilyn Diaz to fellow athletes: Do your best

MANILA, Philippines — Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalist in the 2016 Rio Olympics, has vowed to win the gold in the 30th SEA Games in November.

“Hindi pa ako nananalo ng (I have not won the) gold sa SEA Games,” said Diaz in a  short video message from Ningbo, China.

“Sana dito sa atin manalo na ako (I hope I can win on home soil),” added Diaz, who’s out on a two-month overseas training.

Diaz’ short message was aired before hundreds of Filipino athletes who flocked to the Rizal Memorial baseball field Tuesday evening for the launch of the “Go Pilipinas Go” campaign.

The reigning Asian Games champion and winner of two silvers and a bronze in the SEA Games rallied her fellow athletes to do their best and help the Philippines regain the overall title in the SEA Games.

“Let’s just give our best,” she said during the three-hour program aimed at boosting the morale of the SEA Games athletes and drum up the multi-nation event set Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) chairman Alan Peter Cayetano, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez and SEA Games chef-de-mission Monsour del Rosario were present.

Cayetano reminded the athletes of the 2005 Manila SEA Games where the Philippines bagged the overall title for the first time.

“We were the overall champion then. So, our objective this time is for us to win and show the 10 other countries that we are the best hosts,” he said.

Del Rosario, a taekwondo jin in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, encouraged the athletes to sacrifice in training so they can achieve their goals.