President Rodrigo Duterte led the nation in congratulating the country’s first Olympic gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz following her arrival in Manila Wednesday night, July 29 from Tokyo, Japan.
Duterte met with Diaz – gold medalist in the 55-kilogram category of women’s weightlifting in the Tokyo Olympics – virtually as the weightlifter stayed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the President was with several cabinet members in Malacañang.
"As expected, the nation is ecstatic about your achievement,” said Duterte. “Your achievement is the achievement of the Filipino nation. We are extremely proud.”
“We cannot express even in the words of an athlete how we should really be shouting hallelujah.”
“Pero salamat naman sa pag-tiis mo. I hope that the years of toil, the years of disappointment, and the years na hindi maganda ang nangyari in the past, you already have the gold – gold is gold.”
It was indeed a challenging journey for Diaz to get to the Summer Games as she spent 18 months away from her family to focus on training in Malaysia. She failed to make a podium finish in the Asian Championship last April in Uzbekistan, which also served an Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).
However, by joining the OQT, Diaz completed the required number of six OQTs, which booked her a ticket for a fourth straight stint in the Olympics following her campaigns in 2008 Beijing, 2012 London and 2016 Rio where she earned a silver medal finish.
Despite the presence of world record holder Liao Qiuyun of China, Diaz mightily lifted an Olympic record of 127kgs in clean and jerk on the third and last attempt that gave her the gold medal last Monday.
Diaz also successfully lifted 97kgs in snatch, which gave her a total of 224kgs – likewise an Olympic mark.
Liao finished with a total of 223kgs following her 97kgs in snatch and 126kgs in clean and jerk to earn a silver medal, while Kazakhstan’s Chinshanlo Zulfiya placed third for the bronze with a total of 213kgs – 90kgs in snatch and 123kgs in clean and jerk.
Duterte said that it’s time for Diaz to celebrate the victory, and forget – for the meantime – the hardships she went through to achieve her goal that she now shares with the entire nation.
“It could be good for you. Let bygones be bygones and dwell solely on your victory together with your family and of course with the nation. Ayusin mo mabuti buhay mo. You’ve been blessed by God,” said Duterte.
“Over and above all these monetary considerations, it’s always the honor that you brought to the country that counts most. Mabuhay ka. Ako naman ang mag-saludo sayo.”
As she saluted the latest sporting hero of the country, Duterte gave Diaz the highest respect.
“Yes ma’am!”