Gold medallist Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz stand on the podium for the victory ceremony of the women’s 55kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on July 26, 2021. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday lauded Hidilyn Diaz for bringing “pride and glory” to the Philippines after bagging the country’s first Olympic gold medal.
Diaz conquered the women’s 55 kilograms weightlifting competition at the Tokyo Olympics, beating China’s Liao Quiyun who finished with the silver medal and Kazakhstan’s Zulfiya Chinshanlo who claimed the bronze.
“The Palace congratulates Hidilyn Diaz for bringing pride and glory to the Philippines for winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal (weightlifting women’s 55kg),” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
“Congratulations, Hidilyn. The entire Filipino nation is proud of you. Laban, Pilipinas!” he added.
In a separate Facebook post, Roque also wrote: “I heard you say, ‘Mabuhay ang Pilipinas’ – but I know I share everyone’s pride when I say, ‘Mabuhay ka, Hidilyn!’”