Hidi’s Olympic gold brings joy to her foster family in Melaka, Malaysia

PROUD FOSTER PARENT. Ahmad Janius Abdullah holds a phone with photos of Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz at his home in Kampung Kesang Tua, Melaka, on July 27, 2021. Ahmad Janius, deputy president of the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF), served as Hidilyn’s foster parent during more than one year of training in Malaysia before the Olympics. (Photo courtesy of Bernama)

Hidi’s gold brings joy to her foster family in Melaka.

The weightlifter from the Philippines made history by bagging her country’s first-ever Olympic medal at the Tokyo Games this year. She is also the pride of her foster family in Kampung Kesang Tua, Melaka. She stayed with them for more than a year.

The lifter’s foster father, Ahmad Janius Abdullah, 50, said Hidi’s (Hidilyn’s nickname from him) recipe for success was her determination, focus, and burning ambition to win an Olympic gold medal.

Ahmad Janius is no stranger to the sport. He is also the deputy president of the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF). He said his decision to help the lifter was based on the spirit of sportsmanship due to good ties between the Philippines and Malaysia.

Teratak Muhammedar, eventually became her home and training centre due to the pandemic. She stayed there with two of her trainers since September 16 last year.

Hidi very disciplined athlete

“Hidi is very meticulous. She will ensure that every training equipment and the facility is in proper condition and arranged accordingly. Including the smallest details. She always says that she wants to win the Olympic gold medal. She diligently undergoes her training routine from 10 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm daily, apart from focusing on her studies at night,” he said when met by reporters on Tuesday. He also described Hidi as a very highly disciplined athlete. In particular when it came to her training and her food intake. She would measure every portion of her food intake.

He said he also had the opportunity to send Hidi and her team to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to catch a flight to Tokyo for the Olympics on July 18.

Ahmad Janius Abdullah shows the garage where Hidilyn Diaz trained for the Tokyo Olympics, July 27, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Bernama)

“My relationship with Hidi is like that of a father and daughter. Although she calls me ‘sir’, I always ensure that all her needs in the house are sufficient. I also advised her to do her best in the snatch discipline as that’s her weakness. I’m glad she took it seriously and performed excellently to bag the gold,” he said.

He said he felt proud. He was also touched that she thanked them at Teratak Muhammedar and Malaysia immediately after winning the gold.

According to Mr Janius, Hidi will return to Melaka soon. He mentioned she enjoys “Asam Pedas Melaka” and “durian IOI” and would prepare some for her return.

Hidi, who came to Malaysia to train in January last year, found herself stranded here following the Covid-19 pandemic and had trained at various venues, including the Desa Pandan Sports Complex and the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil. (Bernama)