Diaz flying to Colombia in chase of Olympic berth

MANILA, Philippines — Hidilyn Diaz will fly to Cali, Colombia from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next week to see action in the South American Open Championships, carrying hopes of completing the final requirement to officially qualify to the Tokyo Olympics in July.

The 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist was supposed to compete in the Asian Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan slated April 16-25. But the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 threat, forcing her to shift her focus on the African Championship in Vacoas, Mauritius from April 13-20.

However, the Mauritius tilt was also called off yesterday due to the virus outbreak.

“Yes, she will (instead) go to Colombia,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella, referring to Diaz, who has been training in Kuala Lumpur for several weeks now.

Five IWF-sanctioned events have been cancelled, forcing Diaz, who is seeking to join world champion gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and boxer Eumir Felix Marcial in Tokyo, to realign her schedule.

Diaz has one foot in the Olympics as she is currently ranked fourth among the 10 that will make the cut.

Technically, the Zamboanga native should be ranked No. 2 since the top three are Chinese, and IWF regulations only allow one entry per country in the Olympics.

But in order to officially claim a berth, Diaz must participate in one more meet, in this case, Colombia.

That is, of course, assuming that the Colombia meet pushes through.

“The IWF will decide to revise the rules to allow lifters to qualify due to force majeure,” said Puentevella. “Since this is not the fault of the lifters, IWF will be forced to adjust.

“In fact, the IWF is giving everyone who needs more events to join an alternative,” he added.