Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz made history and brought tremendous pride to Filipinos when she became the first athlete to win Olympic gold for the Philippines, ending the country’s 97-year wait for an Olympic gold medal.
Diaz won the women’s 55-kg category for weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics and lifted a total of 224 kg in the event (127 kg in the last lift), thus besting silver medalist Liao Qiuyun of China and setting Olympic records.
As the country joyously celebrates Hidilyn Diaz’s historic triumph, artists have paid tribute to the Olympic hero with their artworks:
Following the historic win, heaps of prizes were also pledged to the athlete: millions of cash prizes from private individuals and companies (Manny V. Pangilinan, Ramon S. Ang, Dennis Uy, etc.), house and lot (Century Properties), condo units (Megaworld Corp), automobile (Foton), plus a lifetime supply/services: free fuel (Phoenix), flights (Air Asia, PAL), memberships to various sports and recreational spaces (Victoria Sports Club, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar) and free dining/beverage from various restaurants.
