2018 ASIAN GAMES: JAKARTA – PHILIPPINES’ DIAZ STRIKES GOLD
Hidilyn Diaz rules Asiad weightlifting
The Philippines won its first gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia when Hidilyn Diaz ruled the women’s 53-kilograms weightlifting event at the Jakarta International Expo on Tuesday night.
Diaz, who won a silver medal in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, lifted 92 kg in the snatch and 115 kg in the clean and jerk, of a total of 207 kg.
GLORY Hidilyn Diaz competes in the women’s 53kg weightlifting event during the 2018 Asian
Games in Jakarta on August 21, 2018. AFP PHOTO
She defeated Turkmenistan’s Kristina Shermetova (206 kg) and Surodchana Khambao of Thailand (201 kg) to take the gold medal.
The Philippines won a lone gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games when BMX rider Daniel Caluag bagged the top prize in Incheon, South Korea. Caluag will also see action in Jakarta.
For her feat, Diaz, who comes from Zamboanga City, will get a cash reward of P6 million.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Ricky Vargas said he was overjoyed with Diaz’s victory.
“I was entering a meeting with some Asean sports leaders when I got the news and I needed a few moments to compose myself before I went in. I was overcome by emotion. I just saw her yesterday at the Athletes Village and she was so calm. Mabuhay ka, Hidilyn! You made the country proud again. You are an inspiration to your fellow athletes who will surely want to emulate you. Galing!” he said.
Dessa de los Santos settled for an eighth place finish, with the total of 180 kg (80 kg in the snatch, 100 kg in the clean and jerk).
One more bronze
Pauline Louise Lopez bagged the country’s fourth bronze medal on Tuesday after yielding a controversial match to Chinese Zongshi Luo, 4-11, in the women’s –57 kgs of tae kwon do competition.
The 22-year-old psychology student at Ateneo de Manila University could not hide her frustration and cried after the match.
She trailed 0-2 in the first round, sneaked in 2 points with the Chinese scoring 2 more for a 2-4 in the second.
The Chinese then pulled away in the third round with seven decisive hits.
Lopez rallied to 4-7 in the third round and landed two more kicks but they did not register on the electronic scoreboard. Her coaching staff vehemently protested and one of the match officials called the attention of two members of the jury, who eventually awarded a point for the Filipina.
But Lopez was later meted three gami-jeom (deduction penalty) in the third round, dousing water on her bid to enter the gold medal round.
“I had the chance but the plan didn’t work according to what it should be. I was going for it, I did my part but it’s just it was not there for me,” a disappointed Lopez said.
On the other hand, medal hopeful and former Rio Olympian Kirstie Elaine Alora bombed out of the medal race after narrowly losing to Deniz Cansel, 7-8, in the Round of 16 women’s 67-kg division.
Kristopher Robert Uy also lost to Chinese Sun Hongyi, 7-9, in the Round of 16 of the men’s +80 kg class.
PH 5, Clarkson fall short
The Filipino cagers suffered their first loss on Tuesday after absorbing a close 80-82 decision against China.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson proved to be a huge boost for the Philippines, scoring 28 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Christian Standhardinger added 18 points and eight rebounds.
The Filipinos trailed 12-20 after the opening quarter, but kept the match at jabbing distance the rest of the way.
Paul Lee nailed a game-tying triple late in the fourth quarter, 74-all, then held an 80-77 advantage on a Stanley Pringle basket.
After Zhou Qi’s split free throws, Pringle committed a costly turnover allowing the Chinese to tie the count at 80-all after Zhao Ru’s lay-up.
Zhao sank two free throws with 13 seconds left, giving the Chinese a two-point advantage before Lee muffed a game-winning triple at the buzzer.
Pringle tallied 14 points.
Qi had an impressive performance of 25 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks to lead the Chinese. / Manila Times – BY JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT ON
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