30-year-old Hidelyn Diaz won the Philippines’ first-ever gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics on Monday evening, July 26, 2021.
In almost 100 years of participation in the Olympic games, this is the first time the country won a gold medal.
With hard rock music blaring in the background and every single one inside the stadium on the edge of their seats, Diaz lifted an Olympic record 127 kilograms in her third and final lift to win the gold with a 224 kilograms total.
The Filipina ended the 97-year Olympic gold medal drought for the Philippines.
Diaz, who won a silver medal in Rio Olympics, battled adversity as she beat current world champion and record holder Liao Qiuyun of China.
With her win, Diaz stands to bag P33 million in incentives coming from the government and private sectors.
She is also elevated to the status of one the country’s legendary sports heroes.
This is Diaz’s fourth Olympics as she first competed in the Summer Games that took place in Beijing, China.