Philippines’ Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz has made history by winning the first Olympic gold medal for her country. The 30-year-old athlete reached the haul mark by lifting a combined weight of 224 kilograms in the Tokyo Olympics.
Hidilyn dominated women’s weightlifting and set an Olympic record of lifting 280 pounds. She clinched the top spot in the 55kg category and ended the Philippines 97-year gold-less streak at the same time.
Before Tokyo Olympics, Diaz had won silver at the 2016 Games in Rio. This time, she achieved a personal best to beat off strong competition from world record holder Liao Qiuyun of China, who took silver with 223 kg, and Kazakhstan’s Zulfiya Chinshanlo, who won bronze with 213 kg.
After the win, Heart-warming scenes were witnessed when Diaz burst into tears of joy. She was seen embracing her coaches and clutching her medal. During the medal awarding ceremony, she pointed to the Philippines flag on her jersey as she stood on the podium.
Diaz’s achievement not only earned her praises from the Philippines’ president and people but also a $660,000 grant and a house from the government.
Hidilyn was stuck in Malaysia without gym facilities because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. In her Instagram story, she revealed that she had to train for the Tokyo Olympics using a barbell crafted out of two water bottles and a bamboo pole.
“I’m looking forward to enjoying life because I have been in Malaysia for almost two years, so I’m really thankful I can go home now and celebrate with my family and the people who support me,” Diaz said.
Until Monday of this week, the Philippines had 3 silvers and 7 bronzes in its Olympic history. With 108 million population, the country had won 10 Olympic medals in total.
During her time in lockdown, Diaz posted a video on her Instagram in which she can be seen training with water bottles attached to a wooden stick.
“Yes, I do this. I carry a bottle of water for my weightlifting training. Its hard but we survive, still living the dream in my heart,” the caption beneath the video read.
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