Coronavirus takes its toll on Filipino athletes
THE coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken its toll on Filipino sports people.
Tokyo Olympics weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn F. Diaz and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters Jeremy Miado and Robin Catalan all recently tested positive for the global health malady and were undergoing quarantine.
“Kahit po ako nag-positive na po. Ingat po tayong lahat. Magpalakas at sundin lahat ng health protocols (I, too, tested positive. Take care everyone. Get stronger and follow all health protocols),” said Ms. Diaz on her Instagram account where she also posted her test result.
Good thing Ms. Diaz, who has trained her sights for a second Olympic gold in the 2024 Paris Games, got her booster shot in Quezon City on Jan. 4.
For Messrs. Miado and Catalan, both strawweights, they were taken out of the “ONE: Heavy Hitters” card slated for tonight at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Messrs. Miado (10-4) and Catalan (9-7) were supposed to clash with Senzo Ikeda (12-6-1) and Elipitua Siregar (4-1), respectively, before it was both scrapped.
The three were among Filipino athletes and sports personalities who recently caught the virus, among them are volleyball star Alyssa Valdez of Creamline, Beach Volleyball Republic founder Charo Soriano, and Premier Volleyball League president Ricky Palou.
The PBA also postponed their games indefinitely after several of its players, coaches and team members got COVID-19. — Joey Villar
