A Filipino based in the UAE has made the country proud after clinching the silver medal at the historic 1st Asian Masters Weightlifting Championship held in Doha, Qatar, from May 27 to 31, 2025.
Zaldy Moreno Diez, who has been living and working in Abu Dhabi for nearly 15 years, earned second place in the Men’s 45–49 age group, 80kg weight division, surpassing tough contenders from Iran and Tunisia. The championship, which gathered more than 140 athletes from 25 countries, marked a major milestone as the first international platform for veteran lifters across Asia aged 30 and above.
“Unexplainable feelings. At the same time, I’m very proud because I didn’t even expect to win, since it’s my first international competition,” Diez shared in an interview with TGFM. “Knowing that my opponents are strong contenders from Iran, Tunisia, and Pakistan, just being there already meant so much. But the honor of representing the Philippines is beyond imaginable.”
Diez first discovered Olympic weightlifting in 2016 as a personal hobby. While working in the aviation industry, he began competing in local events in the UAE before deciding to take the leap internationally. His journey, he said, was made possible through the guidance of his coach and the support of his wife Hazel.
“I was inspired by my coach, who also competed at the Asian Masters and has been my mentor since 2021,” he said. “My wife has been very supportive since day one. They’re both the reasons I believed in myself to aim higher.”
Despite a demanding full-time job, Diez committed to an intense nine-week training program combined with a strict diet to ensure he maintained his weight category. The hard work paid off, but the road wasn’t easy.
“It was a very hard and challenging preparation,” he recalled. “I had to balance work and training, and sometimes my work schedule conflicted with my gym time. Add the strict diet—I’d often feel exhausted. But because of my passion for the sport and my determination to compete, I didn’t let any of those stop me.”
The moment of the win was emotional. “My legs were shaking during my first attempt at 80kg in snatch. But I told myself to focus,” he said. “It was only when my coach came up to me and said I got silver that it hit me. All the hard work, sleepless nights, and sacrifices were worth it.”
Now 45, Diez hopes to inspire other Filipinos—especially fellow OFWs and those over 35—to pursue sports regardless of age.
“It’s never too late to be an athlete,” he said. “It’s not about age. It’s about perseverance, setting your goals, and staying focused. Sports can help your overall well-being—physically, mentally, and emotionally. For OFWs like me, it’s also a way to feel connected to home.”
