Hidilyn Diaz will now be part of Philippine school books as the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist. Stepping up to a determined challenger in China's Liao Qiuyun, Diaz had more than enough to stake claim to the championship of women's 55kg weightlifting - to go along with two Olympic records to boot.
History. Made.
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 26, 2021
Hidilyn Diaz has won the first ever gold medal for Philippines!#PHI #Gold #PHI #Gold #PHI #Gold pic.twitter.com/hrhavf2Iyp
Laban Pilipinas ♥️ #UnitedByEmotion
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 26, 2021
A historic moment for the Philippines 🇵🇭 at #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/qNHaob13Ae
Diaz knows full well what a gold medal means for her country and was heard yelling "Mabuhay, Pilipinas! Mabuhay! (Long live the Philippines! Long live!)" and "Laban Pilipinas! (Let's go, Philippines!)" several times over. That emotion carried over backstage after the medal ceremony where Frontline Pilipinas anchor Gretchen Ho was on scene to capture all of it.
Here's Hidilyn Diaz, the first ever Philippine gold medalist.#SeeUsStronger @cignaltv #Tokyo2020 @OneSportsPHL @mvpsfph #MVPSportsFoundation pic.twitter.com/lJkcQ2gLkN
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) July 26, 2021
(2/2) Here's Hidilyn Diaz, the first ever Philippine gold medalist.#SeeUsStronger @cignaltv #Tokyo2020 @OneSportsPHL @mvpsfph #MVPSportsFoundation pic.twitter.com/FmN8IqxJcV
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) July 26, 2021
And who else but the history-making golden girl to unite personalities from different networks?
Hidilyn lifting ang entire nation! Omg! 😭
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) July 26, 2021
History right here. Thank you Hidilyn for giving us this moment. 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/mIOwaXfOSi
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) July 26, 2021
The most emotional part was hearing our National Anthem being played. Nic and I stood, hands on hearts, and cried. Mabuhay ka, @Diaz_Hidilyn! pic.twitter.com/hUQdY4obeM
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) July 26, 2021
Of course, the rest of the Philippine sporting community - from the likes of Ginebra coach Tim Cone to Creamline star Alyssa Valdez - heaped praise on their most successful Olympian.
Congratulations Hidilyn!! You make us so proud. The MVPSF was born 10 years ago with its vision of winning our first Olympic Gold medal 🥇. You did it!! Thank you, MVP #pldt #smart #mvpsf https://t.co/VBUfZaDGWJ
— Al Panlilio (@APan9) July 26, 2021
Just think of all the work Hidilyn has done through her lifetime to get to this point. An Olympic GOLD Medal!!!
— Tim Cone (@manilacone) July 26, 2021
Mabuhay!!!
— PBA (@pbaconnect) July 26, 2021
Congratulations to our 1st ever Olympic 🥇 medalist, Hidilyn Diaz!
Women's 55kg 🏋🏻♀️#LabanPilipinas#Tokyo2020 https://t.co/84T7BJ7YaM
