Quotes from Hidilyn Diaz

The sacrifices you make are so hard when you're training every day.

I just need to know my technique and visualize it.

In sports, you always want to improve. You don't stop until you reach your peak.

I am merely doing my best to represent the Philippines in weightlifting.

I am hopeful that weightlifting will grow with more kids getting into the sport not just from Zamboanga City or Cebu but all over the Philippines who can become the next Hidilyn Diaz.

My mum supported me after she saw I was doing good in weightlifting, I was able to get a scholarship, I was able to help them.

To all the young generation in the Philippines, please dream high.

I have achieved something in sports but there's nothing like a college degree.

When you do weightlifting, the misconception there is you won't get pregnant, you won't get tall, you won't marry anyone because you'll get so bulky or you'll get so big. You'll get a lot of muscle and no one's going to love you for having that.

We are not rich and my family depended on me.

I can't eat sugar and sweets. I miss eating cheesecake and drinking bubble tea with friends.

During the times I wanted to give up because of all the challenges I faced, we did it. We Filipinos can do it.

I just tell myself to focus on the technique, focus on the work ahead.

I'm close to the Olympics. I want to snatch 100kg, but I need to master more techniques in order to do that. But I know I am capable of doing it.

I've proven that Filipino weightlifters can win a medal in the Olympics.

I just want to say that we Filipino are strong.

My father was a tricycle driver before, then he became a farmer and a fisherman.

I have to continue until there's another Filipino following in my footsteps.

If you're not willing to put in the hard work, to endure and fail, there's no point. You win only if you're willing to do whatever it takes.

But I'm thankful that God used me to inspire all the young generation and all the Philippines people to keep fighting during this pandemic.

For me, it's a big deal to compete in the Olympics because it's so tough to qualify.

I think it's a great accomplishment. Qualifying for the Olympics once is already hard enough now I'm about to compete in my fourth, especially now that we are in the middle of the pandemic.

I see other athletes who reached a dead end in their careers for lack of good education.

Athletes are people too, we go through a lot of things, but it all became easier when there was someone who could guide and counsel.