Courtesy: IWF
Coach Allen Diaz, cousin of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, and a former national weightlifter, expressed pride in the growing respect the Philippines is now receiving from the international weightlifting community.
His remarks came after Team Philippines’ impressive campaign at the IWF Youth World Championships in Cali, Colombia, highlighted by the historic performance of his prized athlete, Alexsandra Ann Diaz, who swept three gold medals and shattered two youth world records in the women’s 48kg division.
“Dati parang balewala lang kami. Ngayong nananalo na tayo, nirerespeto na ang Pilipinas,” said coach Allen.
He added that the country’s recent success has changed how other nations view the Filipino team.
“Yung ibang bansa, nakikipag-picture na sa amin. May isa pa ngang nagsabi mula sa Saudi Arabia, ‘Oh! Two Philippine coaches, very dangerous,’” he recalled.
Coach Allen also reflected on Alexsandra Ann’s remarkable rise, having guided her since she first entered the sport at just six years old.
For the veteran mentor, the 15-year-old weightlifting sensation has all the potential to become the country’s next world-class athlete and even represent the Philippines in the Olympic Games.
“Posible siyang maging Olympian. Pangarap ko rin iyon na maging Olympic at world record coach. Posible talaga ’yan,” said Diaz, expressing confidence that Alexsandra Ann could become the next big star in Philippine weightlifting.
In just three weeks, coach Allen and Alexsandra will return to the competition platform as they set their sights on another podium finish at next month’s Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
“Dikit yung laban, isang kilo lang muna para hindi siya mabigla kasi weeks na lang yan,” said Diaz.
Alexsandra will move up to compete in the women’s 49kg division, where she and coach Allen will continue fine-tuning her training in pursuit of another medal-winning campaign for the Philippines.
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