When Zamboanga City dominated the weightlifting meet of the recent Philippine National Games-Batang Pinoy Championships, most the participants wanted to follow the footsteps of Tokyo Olympics’ gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.
With Diaz watching most of the competitions, fired-up participants from Zamboanga City, some coming from Hidilyn’s turf in Mampang, took home six gold medals of 10 at stake.
And newcomer Oscar Hipolito is among the three Zamboanguenos, who made an impression on the final day of action at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center’s Dacudao court inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“Gusto ko pong maging katulad ni Ate Hidi,” said Hipolito after he came up a new personal best lift 100 kgs in the snatch of men’s 73-kg action of the 18-and-above class.
Hipolito tried going for a new personal best of 129, but it was not counted and his lift of 126 was acknowledged as his finest in the clean and jerk, giving him a total of 222 for the gold medal.
For Hipolito, a 10th grader from Arena Blanco National High School, winning his first-ever gold medal has inspired him further to pursue his ambitions, just like his idol Diaz when she was younger.
“Wala pa po akong international competition. Sana po makapasok ako sa national at makapunta ako sa iba’t ibang lugar,” added Hipolito.
Another other gold-medal winner from Zamboanga City was 16-year-old Hillary Diaz in the 16-17 women’s 59+ event with her total of 120.
