Hidilyn motivates Asa Miller

Lone Philippine representative to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Asa Miller thanked Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz for inspiring her before participating in the Chinese capital.

“It really means a lot to me,” Miller related Diaz’s message of motivation and patience. “She’s really an amazing athlete. I am really super motivated after watching her capture the Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.”

The 30-year-old Diaz advised the 21-year-old Filipino-American alpine skier based in Portland to “just go on and don’t regret anything,” reminding him that “it doesn’t matter how many times he tries as long as he’s very dedicated to the sport he loves.”

Diaz debuted as a 17-year-old at the 2008 Beijing Games, the same age when Miller first qualified for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang four years ago with figure ice skater Michael Martinez.

It took Diaz three more Olympics to finally achieve her goal of bringing home the country’s first Olympic gold medal.

“She’s very, very successful in her game, it means a lot. So I hope I can use it as motivation to perform well in my upcoming two races, I hope to follow up on her success,” he said.

Miller and Diaz met online ahead of the Beijing Games together with POC Athletes’ Commission members Diaz, Nikko Huelgas (triathlon), Jessie Lacuna (swimming), Sam Morrison (taekwondo), Petecio, Francesca Almonte (softball) and Jake Letts (rugby).

“I got to talk to her before I came here via Zoom call and it’s so nice to meet all of them, too,” Miller said.