Celebrities rejoice as Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz gave the Philippines its first-ever Olympics gold medal after winning the women’s 55-kg weightlifting event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics today, July 26, the Tokyo International Forum.
The 30-year-old athlete had no problem with her first and second attempts at snatch with 94 and 97kgs, respectively. Unfortunately, she got a no-lift decision on her third try at 99kg.
Diaz then made up for it in the clean and jerk as she successfully lifted 119kg in her first attempt. She then lifted 124kg in her second attempt. On her final try, Diaz lifted 127kg.
On Twitter, several celebrities were quick to congratulate Diaz.
Hidilyn Diaz wins weightlifting gold in Tokyo Olympics | Inquirer Sports https://t.co/pJk4aShks3
— ogie alcasid (@ogiealcasid) July 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/enchongdee777/status/1419643644621955072
WAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! PILIPINAS!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/OwlDzvxt4V
— Toñet (@tonetjadaone) July 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/KrishnanGaniel/status/1419642638798450690
https://twitter.com/GaryValenciano1/status/1419641916811931649
https://twitter.com/agot_isidro/status/1419641849178824711
Janine Gutierrez was overwhelmed by Diaz’s win while discreetly sharing her thoughts on Pres. Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Hidilyn Diaz winning the first ever gold medal for the Philippines is the hero we need on SONA day
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) July 26, 2021
In another tweet, the actress could not help but be emotional, calling the weightlifter a “hero”.
omg nakakaiyak HIDILYN DIAZ YOU'RE A HERO
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) July 26, 2021
Gretchen Ho is also elated by Diaz’s win as she shared a clip of Filipinos celebrating the weightlifter’s win.
https://twitter.com/gretchenho/status/1419638512278663168
https://twitter.com/gretchenho/status/1419639752324653056
The reality is–it was not an easy feat for the athlete.
A netizen shared how the athlete expressed her dilemma before competing in the Tokyo 2020. Diaz was having thoughts of seeking sponsorship from private companies to be able to compete in the Olympics.
from this to this pic.twitter.com/Z2NHANZc7H
— bryan (@bryaheroo) July 26, 2021
But now, Diaz will be bringing home the gold, ending the years-long Olympic gold medal drought of the Philippines.
In 2016, Diaz won the silver medal during the quadrennial meet in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. She also clinched a gold medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. It is her fourth consecutive Olympic appearance.
