The Philippines—which has not scored an Olympic medal in 20 years—now has reason to celebrate because of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
"Diaz lifted a total of 200 kilograms to finish second and bag the silver medal behind gold medalist Hsu Shu-Ching of Chinese Taipei in the women's 53 kg. class," reports Jerome Ascano on SPIN.ph.
Diaz's silver is the first medal for Team Philippines in the 2016 Rio Olympics. It's also the first ever Olympic medal win by a Filipina weightlifter.
The last time the Philippines brought home an Olympic medal was courtesy of boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco’s triumph at the 1996 games in Atlanta.
Diaz—a 25-year-old native of Zamboanga City—had competed in the 2008 Beijing (wildcard) and 2012 London Olympics, respectively, but came home empty handed on both campaigns. Well, it looks like her perseverance has paid off.
As news of Diaz's win spread, congratulatory tweets poured in.
Congratulations Hidilyn Diaz. Thank you for waving the Philippine Flag. Mabuhay! #LabanPilipinas
— Erra Mae Mejos (@erraism) August 8, 2016
Finally an Olympic medal for the Philippines in 20 years. Congrats Hidilyn Diaz! #PHI #weightlifting
— MonMon D. Guevara (@simoncarldg) August 8, 2016
Congratulations to our very own hidilyn diaz! Shine bright like a diamond ????????????? #LabanPilipinas #Silver
— Lance Marshall Gavin (@RealLanzanity) August 8, 2016
First #PHI Olympic medal since 1996, first Filipina to win a medal & first non-boxer medalist since 1936. Congrats Hidilyn Diaz!! #Rio2016
— Tobiel St. John (@tobielstjohn) August 8, 2016
Congratulations to Hidilyn Diaz for that silver!! ???????? You go girl.
— Joanna Malinis (@aniciaclean) August 8, 2016