PH wins first Olympic medal, Diaz bags silver

Hidilyn Diaz has given the Philippines its first Olympic medal after 20 years. Diaz was awarded a silver medal in the women’s 53-kg weightlifting division of the 2016 Summer Games on August 7 (August 8 in Manila).

The athlete hails from Zamboanga City and is the first female athlete to have ever won an Olympic medal for the country. Aside from that, she is also the first Filipino to score a medal in weightlifting, and the first non-boxer to win from the Philippines since 1936.


Diaz was able to lift 111kg in her first attempt, and then a 112 kg in her second. However, she was not able to lfit a 117kg on her third attempt.

EPA/NIC BOTHMA, Rappler

Li Yajun from China was a frontrunner in the snatch and had her eyes set for gold. Due to unfortunate circumstances, however, she was not able to clear any of her three attempts at the clean and jerk. Because of this, Diaz was able to score the silver instead of bronze.

It was Hsu Shu-Ching of Chinese-Taipe’s who won the gold medla, clearing a 212kg lift.

Diaz was also in the Games as a wildcard entry eight years ago. Her road to success was hindered by difficult circumstances as well. She lost her trusted coach, her boyfriend, and mediocre performances because of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Before she headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she had a 58-day training camp in China in preparation for the Games. ASCS

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Source: Rappler

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