It’s a gold!
The Philippines is no longer the longest-running IOC member with the burden of not having any gold. That streak was finally broken by no other than Hidilyn Diaz.
Hidilyn, who is from Zamboanga, first rose to fame in 2016 when she bagged the Philippines’ first medal in 22 years. Diaz got silver, surpassing her personal goal of clinching a bronze. Through that same medal, she made history as the only non-boxer to score a medal at the Olympic games. Prior to Rio, she also participated in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.
Diaz also brought the Philippine flag in various competitions abroad. Apart from the Olympics, she has also competed in the 2019 Asian Championship and the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which was held in the Philippines.
Aside from being competitive weightlifter, Diaz is also a member of the Philippine Air Force.
Diaz’s triumph is truly one for the record books not only for clinching the first Olympic gold of the country, but also because she is the first Filipino non-boxer and woman to have two Olympic medals.
In terms of the medal tally, the Philippines now has 1 medal at the Tokyo 2020 games and is currently at the 16th position as of July 26. But in terms of all-time record since 1924, the country has 1 gold, 3 silver, and 7 bronze medals — for a total of 11 medals.