Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz created history at the Tokyo Olympics as she won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for the Philippines.
The 30-year-old became victorious in the women’s 55-kilogram weightlifting competition after an overall lift of 224 kilograms. And by doing so, she achieved an Olympic record. She also lifted an Olympic record of 127 kilograms in the clean and jerk event.
It’s unbelievable, it’s a dream, come true. I want to say to the young generation in the Philippines, ‘You can have this dream of gold too’. This is how I started and finally, I was able to do it.
Diaz also became just the second athlete from the Philippines to win multiple medals at Olympics. Teofilo Yldefonzo won bronze in the men’s 200m breaststroke in 1928 and 1932. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, Diaz won the silver medal in the women’s 53-kg weight division, ending the Philippines’ 20-year Olympic medal drought.
Journey to Tokyo Olympics
Diaz has made a lot of sacrifices to achieve this feat. She spent seven months away from her family in Malaysia due to travel restrictions imposed by the government. All the gyms were closed in Malaysia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so Diaz built a gym by using bamboo sticks and large water bottles and trained hard day in, day out.
“I’m looking forward to enjoying life because I have been in Malaysia for, I don’t know, almost two years, so I’m really thankful I can go home now and celebrate with my family and the people who support me. Looking forward now to enjoy my life after so many sacrifices.” Hidilyn Diaz told AFP.
For her heroic effort at the Tokyo Olympics, Hidilyn Diaz has earned 33 million pesos ($660,000) in cash prizes from the government and several businessmen and a house and lot. The Philippine Sports Commission guarantees a 10 million-peso incentive for every Olympic gold.