Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines competes during the women’s 58-kg, group B, weightlifting competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 30, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino lady weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz came up short for a podium finish in the women’s 58kg in the 2012 London Olympics but it was enough to make her country proud.
The 21-year-old Diaz was off to a great start with a personal-best 97kg, good for second place, in the Snatch.
Unfortunately, the Zamboanga native failed to lift 118kg in her Clean and Jerk.
Whether glued to their television sets or on mobile devices and computers through Twitter or live streaming, Filipinos stood by Diaz every lift of the way.
Jun Poblador (@junpoblador) tweeted: “Her performance made me proud as a Filipino. She gave her all. #LondonOlympics”
Diaz, who won bronze in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games, showed promise despite a second-to-last finish in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Ecuador’s Maria Alexandra Escobar ruled Group B with a total of 226kg lift.
The Philippines hopes to end its 16-year medal drought if not strike its first gold medal in this year’s Olympiad.
Boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco settled for silver in the 1996 Atlanta Games.