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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senators ecstatic at Hidilyn Diaz' Olympic gold

Senators ecstatic at Hidilyn Diaz' Olympic gold

Published Jul 27, 2021 08:23 am

Senators said they also could not help but shed tears of joy after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz bagged the Philippines' first olympic gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Monday, July 26.

Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz competes in the women’s 55kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on July 26, 2021. (AFP)

"First time our national anthem is heard in the Olympics! Congratulations to all. Thank you !!!" Senate President Vicente Sotto III tweeted Monday night.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also celebrated Diaz' historic win.

"Gooooooold!!!!! Woohooo!! Hidilyn!!!! I Love You!!!" Zubiri posted in his official Facebook page.

"She is now in the chronicles of Philippine History as the first-ever Olympic gold medalist!! She will be remembered throughout the ages. Never to be forgotten," he added.

Senator Joel Villanueva said that he, too, was extremely happy, telling reporters: "Sobrang nakakatuwa! Grabe! Nakakaiyak (It really was exciting! It made me cry)!"

Diaz' victory, he said, is the "kind of news to lift our spirits as a nation" amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the politics ahead of the 2022 elections.

"Tonight, Hidilyn etched her name in our country's sporting history. She ended our Olympic gold medal drought, and set a new Olympic record. Lupang Hinirang is played on the world stage once more, and we cannot help but beam with pride. Maraming salamat sa karangalan (Thank you so much for the honor), Hidilyn," he said in a statement later.

Senator Nancy Binay also said on Twitter: "Nakakaiyak sa tuwa. Nakakaproud maging Pinay (It brought me tears of joy, made me proud to be a Filipina). Congratulations, Hidilyn!"

Sen. Grace Poe also thanked Diaz: "For the first time in a long time, we shed tears of joy."

"Thank you, Hidilyn, for making your country proud and lifting the Filipino spirits to new heights," Poe said on Tuesday, July 27.

Senator Pia Cayetano, who was also an athlete, thanked Diaz "for lifting the pride and honor of the entire Filipino nation, literally, on your shoulders by delivering the country's historic first gold medal in the Olympics".

"When you burst into tears as the Philippine flag was being raised, millions of Filipinos wept with joy with you. The national anthem never sounded so sweet!" she told Diaz in a statement, while also congratulating the gold medalist's coaches and trainers.

"This triumph did not come without its own share of sacrifices, trials, and even defeats. Your Olympic gold-winning and record-breaking feat further proves that women athletes can excel with the right breaks, training, and support. And I hope the future generation of young Filipinos will follow your lead - hard work, dedication, faith and perseverance!" she added.

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