Olympic silver-medalist Hidilyn Diaz successfully hosted the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Open Championship (HDWOC) last July 8 and 9, 2017 at the Meralco Gym in Pasig, Metro Manila.
The event was supported by Meralco, MVP Sports Foundation, Philippine Weightlifting Association (PWA), UP Weightlifting Club, and Crossfit Ortigas where a total of 136 weightlifters participated.
The event featured 16 weight categories: 56 kg, 62 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, 85 kg, 94 kg, 105 kg, and +105 kg for men; and 48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg, 90 kg, and +90 kg for women. The competitions followed International Weighlifting Federation (IWF) rules.
Diaz was able to utilize her popularity as result of her successful Olympic campaign that gave the Philippines our second silver medal finish in the 2016 Rio Olympic.
As a result, the 2017 HDWOC was the best-attended tournament in history with 136 participants in total coming from all parts of the country.
From Philippine team members to weightlifting enthusiasts and university weightlifting clubs to first-time competitors, everyone had a blast from their experience in the first HDWOC.
Even members from Crossfit clubs came in full force to support their coaches.
Diaz is extremely happy with the success of here event. She is keen in doing this because she believes that the first Olympic gold will come from the sport of weightlifting.
