Far from home: Weightlifter's quest for first Philippines Olympic gold


Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines writing notes during a training session in Jasin in the Malaysian city of Malacca. Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who took silver at Rio 2016, has been stuck in Malaysia since February last year because of the coronavirus pandemic but has been determined to realise her dream of becoming the first Olympic gold medal winner from Philippines. - AFP

JASIN (Malaysia), May 27 (AFP): Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz grunts with the effort of hoisting a barbell over her head in an outdoor makeshift gym ringed by banana and rambutan trees as trucks thunder past -- an unlikely training base for a shot at Olympic gold in Tokyo.

Diaz, 30, who took silver at Rio 2016, has been stuck in Malaysia since February last year because of the coronavirus pandemic but has remained determined to realise her dream of becoming the first Olympic gold medal winner from the Philippines.

The Star Christmas Special Promo: Save 35% OFF Yearly. T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Aseanplus News

N. Korea's Kim stresses shared bloodshed in New Year message to Putin
Woman killed, 26 injured in 50-vehicle expressway pile-up in Japan
Strong job market, wealth gains to underpin Singapore retail spending in 2026: Economists
Lively first day of MP registration in Bangkok as party leaders turn out in force
China sanctions 20 US firms over Taiwan arms sales
Indonesia grants Christmas remissions to over 16,000 prisoners, including graft convicts
Customs Dept seizes RM731,000 in contraband cigarettes and liquor in Sibu raid
Moderate earthquake hits southern Sumatra, no tsunami threat, says MetMalaysia
Foreign adoptions to end as UN presses govt on abuses
Tarique returns from exile ahead of polls

Others Also Read