Hidilyn Diaz just made history as the first ever Filipina to have bagged the gold medal in the Olympics and after breaking the almost century-old drought, apparently, not everyone is amused with her win.
In an interview with ANC’s show Headstart, Hidilyn revealed that China’s team in this year’s Tokyo Olympics were ‘mad’ at her Chinese coach Gao Kaiwen for not sharing her capabilities and potential to win.
“Hindi makapaniwala ‘yung China na ganito na ‘ko kalakas. Siyempre, si Coach din, hindi niya na-share sa China. Medyo nagalit kasi yung China din sa kaniya, kasi hindi niya na-share kung [hanggang] saan ‘yung lakas ko,” she shared.
Hidilyn also admitted that the Chinese team probably underestimated her strength because for the past competitions that she’s been into, she was not at her best yet.
“Siguro, pero ang tingin kasi nila sa akin, for how many competition na na nagawa ko… ‘di nila nakita yung best ko… So sabi nila, ‘Ay, hindi yan mananalo si Diaz. Hindi ‘yan. Imposible yan. So, nabigla sila na malakas ako.”
Hidilyn also shared this story during her interview on ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol and quipped, “Siyempre sabi ko, ‘Bakit mo ishe-share?’”
“Nandito kasi siya para mag-work, to work for me para palakasin ako so siyempre mixed feeling yun sa atin kasi nga dahil sa political, international scene sa atin,” she said.
“Walang giyera pero nai-presenta ko ang Pilipinas, natalo ko ang China,” she added.
Hidilyn’s coach also has ‘mixed feelings’ with her win due to the current political tension between the Philippines and China.
Despite the UN’s arbitral ruling that the West Philippine Sea belongs to the country, China has disregarded the decision and instead strengthened their military presence in the island and waters surrounding it.
Hidilyn shocked the world with her powerful third attempt in the clean and jerk portion. She lifted 127 kilograms in her last attempt for a total of 224 kilogram and bested China’s Liao Qiuyun, the world record holder who took the lead and lifted 126kg in her third attempt.
China has been a powerhouse when it comes to international weightlifting and it might come as a surprise for the team for Hidilyn to bag the gold medal during the Tokyo Olympics.
