@halinafilipiniana: Exactly 4 years ago, Hidilyn Diaz cleaned up the competition at the women’s 55-kg weightlifting category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics*. She won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for the Philippines. On her last clean and jerk attempt, she overtook People’s Republic of China’s Quiyun Liao who came into the competition as the world record holder. Hidilyn successfully lifted 127 kg, giving her a total of 224 kg – snatching 1st place from Liao by only 1 kg! Almost a hundred years since the Philippines first participated in the Olympics, Hidilyn made history. Despite inadequate resources, leading her to publicly seek financial support. Despite being called out for it by the Philippine Sports Commission, the government agency supposed to be providing the support in the first place. Despite getting red-tagged by the Duterte administration. On those challenges she faced en route to winning the country’s first Olympic gold, she said, “Nakita ko yung reason bakit nangyari iyon. ‘Yung pinagdaanan ko, it gives me more strength and courage to still continue sa dream ko.” (I saw the reason behind the things that had happened. After what I went through, it gives me more strength and courage to still continue on with my dream.) It makes one wonder, how many more Olympic gold medals would we have now if only our athletes weren’t subjected to challenges like those in the first place. *** *The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Clip from One Sports #phhistory #phsports

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Saturday 26 July 2025 07:11:31 GMT