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 — Vice President Leni Robredo congratulated weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz on her gold medal victory at the Tokyo Olympics, calling it a big triumph for the country.
In a Facebook post, Robredo expressed her appreciation to Diaz, the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal.
“Big win for the Philippines!! Thank you for making us proud, Hidilyn,” Robredo said.
In a separate message later, Robredo explained how meaningful Diaz’S victory was, as she had a chance to talk with the athlete who then relayed her struggles growing up in a poor family in Zamboanga.
“Hidilyn is a big inspiration. I first met her at Istorya ng Pag-asa in 2016. Her story was that she came from a poor family in Zamboanga. They were poor, but even as a child she already wanted to be good in one thing. She decided to learn weightlifting,” Robredo said in Filipino.
“Because they didn’t have money to pay for training, she practiced behind their house using two cans of milk joined together by a piece of wood. To make it heavy, they put cement inside the can and let it dry,” she added.
According to Robredo, Diaz eventually reaped the results of her perseverance, as she was able to compete in the Palarong Pambansa and showcase her talent.
“Hidilyn went through so much hardship, but she was undeterred. She wholeheartedly held up the Philippine flag. She has already won many medals,” Robredo said.
“This night she won the much-coveted and very first Olympic Gold Medal for our country. Mabuhay ka Hidilyn,” she added.
Diaz edged other competitors in the 55-kg category, including China’s famed Liao Qiuyun, after tallying 97-kg in the snatch and 127-kg in the clean and jerk. This backs up her performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics where she got the silver in the 53-kg category.