Hidilyn Diaz arrives in Manila on Wednesday after her successful stint in Tokyo where he took home the country’s first gold medal. PSC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Hidilyn Diaz is finally home fresh off a historic performance in the Tokyo Olympics.
Diaz on Wednesday arrived in Manila from Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan less than 48 hours after winning the gold medal in the women’s 55kg weightlifting competition.
The 30-year-old Diaz delivered the Philippines’ maiden Olympic gold, nearly a century later since the country first participated in the Games in Paris 1924.
She was forced to spent the last 17 months overseas after leaving for Malaysia as part of her Tokyo buildup in February 2020 due to the pandemic.
Diaz’s fellow Tokyo Olympian Margielyn Didal was on board the same flight.
Didal, the Asian skateboarding champion, made the medal round of the women’s street skateboarding.
Diaz and Didal will be quarantined at a hotel for the next seven days, as per local health protocols.
Upon her arrival, Diaz changed into her Philippine Air Force uniform.
Following her golden feat, Diaz was promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant effective Tuesday, July 27.
The pride of Zamboanga City was welcomed by members of the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Sports Committee, who all waited for her just outside NAIA Terminal 2.
Diaz is set to receive a prize windfall of over P50 million, which includes P10 million as mandated by law.