Hidilyn still searching for first SEAG gold

MANILA, Philippines — Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz has almost done it all, from winning a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic to snaring gold medals in the Asian Games and Asian Championship. Ironically, though, she has never struck gold in the SEA Games where she had settled for a pair of silvers and a bronze.

But Diaz will get another crack at her first SEAG gold when she spearheads the country’s campaign in the biennial meet the country will host from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

“Maybe this time,” she said.

Diaz’ name is included in the final roster recently submitted by Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella to the Philippine Olympic Committee.

John Fabuar Ceniza (55kg), Dave Lloyd Pacaldo (61kg), Nestor Colonia (67kg), Jeffrey Garcia (73kg), Mary Flor Diaz (45kg), Ellen Rose Perez (49kg), Margaret Colonia (59kg), Elreen Ann Ando (64kg) and Kristel Macrohon (71kg) are the other members of the national squad.

The Filipino weightlifters are out to make noise after failing to bring home a single medal in the last SEA Games in Kuala Lumpu two years ago.

Curiously, Diaz wasn’t able to compete in Kuala Lumpur because women’s weightlifting was not in the calendar.

In three SEAG appearances, Diaz collected two silvers in 2013 in Naypyidaw, Myanmar and 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia and was a bronze medalist in 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

She made up for it by capturing golds in last year’s Asian Games in Jakarta and the 2015 Asian Championships in Phuket, Thailand.