Jump to content

Hidilyn Diaz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Simeon (talk | contribs) at 09:07, 16 August 2021 (External links: add Authority Control). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Hidilyn Diaz
Diaz wins gold at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Personal information
NationalityFilipino
Born (1991-02-20) February 20, 1991 (age 33)
Zamboanga City, Philippines
Height1.50 m (4 ft 11 in)
Weight54.90 kg (121 lb)
Military career
Allegiance Philippines
Service / branch Philippine Air Force
Years of service2013–present
Rank Staff Sergeant[1]
UnitAir Force Special Service Group, PAF Personnel Management Center, 710th Special Operations Wing
Awards Military Merit Medal
Presidential Citation Unit Badge
Sport
CountryPhilippines
SportWeightlifting
Event–55 kg
ClubZamboanga
Coached byGao Kaiwen (Weightlifting Coach)
Julius Naranjo (Weightlifting/Strength and Conditioning Coach) Catalino Diaz (First Coach)
Antonio Agustin Jr. (Former Coach)
Achievements and titles
Personal bests
  • Snatch: 97 kg (2021)
  • Clean & Jerk: 127 kg (2021, OR)
  • Total: 224 kg (2021, OR)[2]

Staff Sergeant Hidilyn Francisco Diaz[3][4] (Tagalog pronunciation: [haɪdɪˈlin];[5] born February 20, 1991[6]) is a Filipina weightlifter and airwoman, the first Filipino to ever win an Olympic gold medal for the Philippines. She is also an Olympic weightlifting record holder by winning the women's 55 kg category for weightlifting at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

In her early weightlifting years, she was a bronze medalist in the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand and achieved 10th place at the 2006 Asian Games in the 53-kilogram class. While she was a student and representing Universidad de Zamboanga, she won two golds and one silver in the Asian Youth/Junior Weightlifting Championship held in Jeonju, South Korea.[7][8][9] She competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, where she was the youngest competitor in the women's 58-kg category.[10]

In the 2016 Summer Olympics, Diaz won the silver medal in the women's 53-kg weight division, ending the Philippines' 20-year Olympic medal drought.

On July 26, 2021, Diaz won the Philippines' first Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics for the women's 55 kg category for weightlifting,[11] setting Olympic records for the 55 kg division in the clean and jerk at 127 kg and in the total at 224 kg.[12]

Early life and education

Hidilyn Diaz is the fifth of six children of Eduardo and Emelita Diaz. Her father was a tricycle driver before becoming a farmer and a fisherman. She grew up wanting to be a banker and trying several sports, like basketball and volleyball.[13] Her cousin, Allen Jayfrus Diaz, taught her the basics of weightlifting.[14]

She attended the Universidad de Zamboanga where she pursued a bachelor's degree in computer science. However, Diaz stopped attending the university as a third year irregular student as she found her degree unsuitable for her. She also claimed that it distracted her training. After her success in the 2016 Olympics, Diaz decided to continue her tertiary education and intended to pursue a degree related to sports in Manila.[15]

Diaz in Philippine Air Force uniform with her Olympic silver medal in 2016.

In January 2017, Diaz received a scholarship to study business management at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.[16]

In 2019, Diaz went on a leave of absence for her schooling as she had focused on Olympic Preparation after winning the Asian Games.[17][18]

In 2020, Diaz had re-enrolled into online classes since the Summer Olympics had been postponed to July 2021.[19]

Competitive career

2008 Summer Olympics

Diaz was selected as a wild card entry to the Summer Olympics by the Philippine Weightlifting Association in early 2008.[20] She is the first female weightlifter to compete for the Philippines in the Olympics, and the sixth weightlifter overall (the first being Rodrigo del Rosario competing in 1948 London Olympics).[21] Competing in the women's 58-kg class, 17-year-old Diaz lifted 85-kg in the snatch and 107-kg in the clean and jerk for a 192-kg total, breaking the Philippine record that she herself set at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games.[22] Although she placed second to last in a field of 12 weightlifters, her performance was praised and considered promising for her age. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez once commented that she competed there to gain valuable experience and predicted that she would be a strong contender in future competitions.[23]

2012 Summer Olympics

Diaz became the first Filipina weightlifter to compete in two consecutive Olympics, by qualifying in the women's weightlifting under 58 kg through the Continental and World Qualifying Tournaments. She was ranked ninth in her event heading to the Olympics. During the 2012 London Olympics, Diaz was chosen to be the flagbearer during the Opening Ceremony.[24][25][26]

She was coached by Tony Agustin, and they projected a 225 kg lift, above her personal best of 219 kg.[27] She successfully lifted a personal best of 97 kg in the snatch, 12th best among the 19 competitors. However her 118 kg Clean and Jerk was unsuccessful after three attempts. She was one of two competitors (along with Lina Rivas of Colombia) to end with an official result of "Did not finish" (DNF) in the event.[28]

2015–16 season

Diaz (second from left) with Cecil Atilano, Beng Climaco and Nestor Colonia being recognized by Zamboanga City Mayor Mayor Beng Climaco for their performance in the 2015 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Phuket, Thailand

Hidilyn Diaz weighed around 56.28 kg during her first Olympic campaign, making her the lightest among competitors. Come 2012 Olympics, Hidilyn Diaz increased her weight to 57.70 kg but still struggled making it to the top half of the competition. Trying to improve her chances of landing a podium finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Diaz decided to drop weight from under 58 kg to under 53 kg. This proved to be effective as she recently snatched the gold medal in the 1st Southeast Asian Weightlifting Championship in Bangkok.[29] She managed to lift a 98 kg snatch and a 115 kg clean and jerk for a 213 kg total. The same mark is good for 4th place in the 2012 London Olympics.[citation needed]

In the Asian Weightlifting Championships, Diaz copped a gold medal in 2015 and a bronze medal in 2016.[13] She also earned three bronze medals for the clean, jerk and snatch events in the 53 kg division of the IWF World Weightlifting Championship held in Houston, Texas on November 22, 2015 to claim a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics.[30][31][32]

In March 2016, Diaz dominated the women's 58 kg event of the 2015-16 Philippine National Games National Finals held at Lingayen Town Plaza, Lingayen, Pangasinan, with a 92 kg snatch and 120 kg clean and jerk (new personal best) combined into 212 kg.[33]

2016 Summer Olympics

In the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Diaz competed in her 3rd consecutive Olympics in the women's 53kg weightlifting category with the intention of at least winning a bronze medal.[34] Diaz surpassed her own personal target and won the silver medal at the event, after successfully clinching a lift of 88 kg in her second attempt in snatch event (placed 6th) and 111 kg and 112 kg in the first and second attempts in the clean and jerk event (placed 2nd).[35] This was the first medal for the Philippines in the Summer Olympics after 20 years. This was also the first non-boxing medal for the nation since 1936. Aside from being the first Filipina weightlifter to compete in three consecutive Olympics, she also became the first Filipino woman and the second person from Zamboanga and Mindanao to win an Olympic medal (after Simeon Toribio, bronze medal winner of men's high jump in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games).

On August 8, 2016, she returned to her hometown, Zamboanga City and was welcomed as a Hero of the city,[36] From receiving numerous incentives from the Philippine president, Philippine Sports Commission and her local city.[37], she was able to buy land for her sibling and for her gym[13]

2018 Asian Games

Diaz (third from left), with three other gold medalists (Loisa Kaye Go, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Yuka Saso) for the Philippines at the 2018 Asian Games.

Diaz participated in the women's 53 kg event in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.[38] Two months prior to the Asian Games, she recruited Gao Kaowen who was previously coach of the Chinese national women's army team.[39] In the women's 53 kg in the 2018 Asian Games, Diaz had a total lift of 207 kg, beating Turkmenistan's Kristina Shermetova (206 kg) and Thailand's Surodchana Khambao (201 kg) to deliver the Philippines' first gold in the 2018 games,[38][40] as well as being the first Filipino weightlifter of any gender to win a gold medal in the Asian Games.[citation needed]

2019–20 season

After winning a bronze in the 2017 World Championships, Diaz again got a bronze in the 2019 edition of the same event. She also won a silver in the 2019 Asian Championship, and another gold in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.[13] In January 2020, Diaz won the gold medal in the women's 55kg event at the Roma 2020 World Cup in Rome, Italy.[41][42]

2020 Summer Olympics

On July 26, 2021, Diaz won the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[43] This was the first ever gold medal won by a Filipino athlete since the country's first appearance in the Olympics in 1924.[44] She set new Olympic weightlifting records by lifting 127kg in the Clean and Jerk and lifting a total weight of 224 kg.[12][45]

Diaz's achievements at the 2020 Summer Olympics were remarkable, as she was previously stranded in Malaysia from February 2020 until July 2021, due to travel restrictions imposed by governments to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on guidance by her coach, Gao Kaiwen, Diaz initially went to train in Malaysia in February 2020 because Gao thought it would be better for her as she focused on qualifying for Tokyo. However, once Malaysia implemented its Movement Control Order in April 2020, which closed gyms within the capital region of Kuala Lumpur (Klang Valley), she improvised by using bamboo sticks and large water bottles as makeshift weightlifting equipment.[46][47] In October 2020, she relocated to the southern coastal state of Malacca where they have been living in a house owned by a Malaysian weightlifting official in Jasin.[48][49] However, the Malaysian government later implemented periodic restrictions on gyms and sporting activities within 2021 (to reduce social interaction and contain the spread of the coronavirus), forcing her to work out in the house's sweltering open-air carport in the immediate months prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics.[49][50][51][52][53]

Diaz also fought mental breakdown during her ordeal, especially with the postponement of the 2020 Olympics, and credits her team, including sports psychologist Dr. Karen Katrina Trinidad and Project: Steady with trauma therapist Gang Badoy Capati for her well-being. She also kept busy during her training overseas during COVID-19 lockdown by cooking, attending meetings, and studying.[17][54]

In recognition of winning the first gold medal for the Philippines at any Olympic Games, she was awarded PHP 35.5 million (approximately US$660,000) along with a house and a lot. The financial and asset awards, were jointly given by both the national government and tycoons from the private sector.[55] Under Philippine law, the Philippine Sports Commission guarantees a 10 million-peso incentive for every Olympic gold.[56]

Major results

Year Venue Weight Snatch (kg) Clean & Jerk (kg) Total Rank
1 2 3 Rank 1 2 3 Rank
Olympic Games
2021 Japan Tokyo, Japan 55 kg 94 97 99 2 119 124 127
OR
1 224
OR
1st place, gold medalist(s)
2016 Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 53 kg 88 88 91 5 111 112 117 2 200 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2012 United Kingdom London, United Kingdom 58 kg 92 97 97 13 118 118 118 DNF DNF
2008 China Beijing, China 58 kg 80 85 90 11 102 102 107 11 192 11
World Championships
2019 Thailand Pattaya, Thailand 55 kg 93 93 93 8 115 118 121 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 214 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2017 United States Anaheim, United States 53 kg 85 86 90 5 110 113 115 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 199 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2015 United States Houston, United States 53 kg 94 96 100 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 115 117 121 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 213 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)

Military career

Diaz was recruited into the Philippine Air Force (PAF) through the military arm's Direct Enlistment Program in 2013. She was initially assigned to the Air Force Special Service Group. She was also given an Air Force Specialty Code skill in recreation in weightlifting. In 2014, she was given a promotion from the rank of Airwoman to Airwoman Second Class. Diaz was also a recipient of a Military Merit Medal for organizing PAF events and a Presidential Citation Unit Badge. When Diaz was training for her stint at the 2016 Summer Olympics, she was assigned to PAF Personnel Management Center on a temporary basis. For her achievement at the Olympics, she was given a promotion by the PAF. The extent of the promotion was initially not disclosed[57] but it was later reported that Diaz was promoted to the rank of Airwoman First Class.[58] Diaz was consecutively promoted to the rank of Sergeant after the 2018 Asian Games.[59] On July 27, 2021, following Diaz's success in competing for the gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, the Philippine Air Force's commanding general, approved Diaz's promotion from Sergeant, to Staff Sergeant.[60]

Personal life

Diaz is a devout Catholic and credits her faith with inspiring her athletic achievements.[61] She wore a Miraculous Medal at the 2020 Olympic medaling ceremony, which she said is “a sign of our prayers and faith in Mama Mary and Jesus Christ.”[62]

Diaz is dating Julius Naranjo, a former weightlifter who competed for Guam in international competitions[63] and a professional weightlifting coach, a strength and conditioning coach, and filmmaker. Their relationship was featured on an episode of GMA Network's Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.[64] Diaz first met with Naranjo at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.[65]

Inclusion in alleged ouster plot matrix

In April 2019, Diaz was surprised to find her name listed among those included in a matrix of personalities allegedly involved in an ouster plot against president Rodrigo Duterte,[66] as presented by Salvador Panelo who was Presidential Spokesperson at the time.[67][68] She initially found the allegation laughable, and numerous government officials came to her defense, saying the inclusion of her name and that of fellow athlete Gretchen Ho was ridiculous,[69][70] but Diaz eventually came to the realization that the inclusion of her name was a threat to her safety and that of her family.[67][68] Panelo later backtracked on the inclusion of Diaz and Ho's names, saying they were not part of the alleged conspiracy.[71]

Diaz' life leading to her silver medal win in the 2016 Summer Olympics was dramatized in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, a drama anthology series, aired on September 24, 2016. She was portrayed by Jane Oineza.

It reruns on July 31, 2021 on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.[72]

Awards and recognitions

On February 14, 2017, Diaz was awarded as the Athlete of the Year of the Philippine Sportswriters Association.[73] She is also the recipient of two honors from the Philippine House of Representatives; the Congressional Medals of Distinction (CMD) in 2016 and the Congressional Medal of Excellence (CME) in 2021.[74][75] The CME, intended for Filipino Olympic gold medalist, was instituted by the Congress' lower house after Diaz won the first ever gold medal for the country in the 2020 Summer Olympics.[75]

See also

References

  1. ^ "After historic win, military promotes Hidilyn Diaz to staff sergeant". Rappler. July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  2. ^ Opiniano, Jeremaiah (July 27, 2021). "I helped Hidilyn Diaz pull off record-setting golden Olympic lift". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  3. ^ DIAZ Hidilyn. 2008 Beijing Olympics.
  4. ^ "Air Force Weightlifter Nabs Silver in Rio 2016, First Pinay Olympic Medalist in 20 Years". Philippine Air Force. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  5. ^ "SEA Games: Hidilyn Diaz panalo ng gold sa weightlifting". ABS-CBN News on YouTube. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  6. ^ "DIAZ, Hidilyn". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  7. ^ City commends Zamboangueño weightlifters. Zamboanga.gov.ph (December 15, 2008). Retrieved on June 28, 2016.
  8. ^ Hidilyn Diaz. nbcolympics.com
  9. ^ Bracher, Jane (August 9, 2016). "Meet Alfonsito Aldanete, the weightlifting coach who helped Diaz win silver". Rappler. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  10. ^ "15 Filipinos battle odds, Olympic gold ‘curse’" Archived August 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Inquirer.net, August 9, 2008
  11. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz wins PH's first Olympic gold medal". GMA News Online. July 26, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Morales, Luisa (July 26, 2021). "Hidilyn Diaz finally captures elusive Olympic gold for Philippines".
  13. ^ a b c d "Best of the Decade: Hidilyn Diaz lifts a country to glory". December 20, 2019.
  14. ^ Pareño, Roel (August 9, 2016). "Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz: From homemade barbell to Rio silver". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  15. ^ Saberon-Abalayan, Marianne (August 11, 2016). "Diaz to pursue college after Rio". Sun Star Davao. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  16. ^ Villanueva, Kristina (January 12, 2017). "Benilde gives Hidilyn big lift to chase dream". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  17. ^ a b Davila, Karen (July 29, 2021). "How Hidilyn fought mental breakdown while preparing for Olympics under COVID lockdown | ANC". ABS-CBN News.
  18. ^ Lara, Tanya (July 26, 2021). "First Filipino Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz: 'Hindi ako makapaniwala. Kakaiba si God'". The Philippine Star.
  19. ^ Mendoza, Mylene (March 20, 2021). "What It's Like to Train for the Olympics While Attending Online Classes, According to Hidilyn Diaz". Candy Mag.
  20. ^ Hidilyn Diaz lifts self to Olympic heights, Manila Standard Today
  21. ^ Love can wait for Hidilyn, Manila Standard Today (August 11, 2008)
  22. ^ Diaz falters; Walsh up next, Manila Standard Today
  23. ^ Diaz, Walsh start bid today, Manila Standard Today (August 11, 2008)
  24. ^ Bolante, Mikkel (July 30, 2012) Filipino flag-bearer Hidilyn Diaz begins Olympic weightlifting campaign Archived July 3, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Interaksyon
  25. ^ Hidilyn Diaz Archived March 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. sports-reference.com
  26. ^ Philippines Archived August 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. sports-reference.com
  27. ^ "Hidilyn tries to do better". manilastandardtoday.com. Manila Standard Today. July 30, 2012. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  28. ^ Olivares, Rick (July 21, 2016). "Could third Olympics be the charm for Hidilyn Diaz?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  29. ^ Reuben Terrado (June 27, 2015). "Hidilyn Diaz makes up for SEA Games absence by bagging gold in 1st Southeast Asian Weightlifting Championship". Spin PH. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  30. ^ "Filipina Hidilyn Diaz wins 3 bronzes at World Weightlifting Championship". Rappler. November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  31. ^ "PH lifter Hidilyn Diaz books ticket to Rio Olympics". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 28, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  32. ^ "Continental Qualification current standing". International Weightlifting Federation. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  33. ^ "Teodosio nagtala ng juniors record sa Philippine National Games". Bandera (in Tagalog). March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  34. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz hoped for Olympic bronze, feels blessed by silver". Rappler. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  35. ^ Bracher, Jane (August 8, 2016). "Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz nabs silver, PH's first Olympic medal in 20 years". Rappler. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  36. ^ Diaz accorded a hero's welcome in Zamboanga City | ABS-CBN News. News.abs-cbn.com (August 12, 2016). Retrieved on September 2, 2016.
  37. ^ Hidilyn Diaz to receive P5-M, other benefits for winning silver in Rio Olympics | InterAksyon.com | Sports5 Archived August 12, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. InterAksyon.com (August 8, 2016). Retrieved on September 2, 2016.
  38. ^ a b "Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines' first gold medal in 2018 Asian Games".
  39. ^ "How Hidilyn Diaz made Olympic history as the Philippines' first gold medallist". Channel News Asia. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  40. ^ "CNN- Philippines".
  41. ^ "2020 Roma World Cup" (PDF). Federazione Italiana Pesistica. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  42. ^ Flores-Colina, Celest (January 28, 2020). "Hidilyn Diaz wins 3 gold medals in Weightlifting World Cup". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  43. ^ "Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins first ever Olympic gold for Philippines". Olympics.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ^ "Olympics latest: Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines' first-ever gold medal". Nikkei Asia.
  45. ^ "Women's 55 kg Results" (PDF). 2020 Summer Olympics. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  46. ^ "Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal, breaking country's 97-year drought". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  47. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz demonstrates why she is an Olympic gold medalist in this charming video". ph.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  48. ^ "Filipino star Diaz safe in Malaysian 'kampong' in her quest for gold". South China Morning Post. May 3, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  49. ^ a b "Berlatih belakang rumah di Jasin, Melaka, Hidilyn Diaz sumbang emas pertama Olimpik untuk Filipina". Utusan Digital (in Malay). Agence France-Presse. July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  50. ^ "Sacrifice, exile: how Filipina Hidilyn Diaz made Olympic history". sg.news.yahoo.com. Agence France-Presse. July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  51. ^ "Far from home: Weightlifter's quest for first Philippines Olympic gold". The Star. Agence France-Presse. May 28, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  52. ^ "Filipino weightlifter trains for Olympics in Malaysian kampung". Free Malaysia Today. Agence France-Presse. May 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  53. ^ "How Hidilyn Diaz made Olympic history as the Philippines' first gold medallist". CNA. Agence France-Presse. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  54. ^ Layug, Margaret Claire (July 29, 2021). "Hidilyn Diaz opens up about 'mental breakdown' ahead of Tokyo Olympics". GMA News Online.
  55. ^ "Epic prize for an epic feat: P35.5M, house and lot await Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz". www.philstar.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  56. ^ "Philippines' First-Ever Gold Medalist Wins $660,000 and a House". bloombergquint.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  57. ^ Santos, Rudy; Sy, Marvin; Mendez, Christina (August 10, 2016). "Olympian Hidilyn to be promoted in PAF". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  58. ^ "Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz receives Airforce rank promotion". GMA News. August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  59. ^ Mangosing, Frances (August 29, 2018). "Asian Games champ Hidilyn Diaz gets promoted to Sergeant in Air Force". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  60. ^ "After historic win, military promotes Hidilyn Diaz to staff sergeant". Rappler. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  61. ^ "After winning the Philippines' first Olympic gold, Hidilyn Diaz thanked God and raised up her Miraculous Medal". America Magazine. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  62. ^ "Gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz inspires the Philippines with her victory and Catholic devotion". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  63. ^ Tomas, Jojo Santo. "Meet Guam's Team for the Asian Indoor Games: Weightlifting". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  64. ^ "Weighlifting golden girl Hidilyn Diaz also wins at love". GMA News Online. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  65. ^ GRANA, RHIA. "An Olympic romance: The love story of Hidilyn Diaz and her coach Julius Naranjo". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  66. ^ Mariano, Paolo (July 27, 2021). "SHINY VINDICATION | Diaz's historic gold medal should shut up haters once and for all". news.tv5.com.ph. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  67. ^ a b "Olympian Hidilyn Diaz fears for life after inclusion in oust-Duterte matrix". cnn. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  68. ^ a b "Hidilyn Diaz fears for life over Duterte foe list". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  69. ^ "Lacson mocks inclusion of Diaz, Ho in oust-Duterte matrix". GMA News Online. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  70. ^ "Sotto considers oust-Duterte matrix with names of Ho, Diaz as 'asar list'". GMA News Online. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  71. ^ "Panelo says Gretchen Ho, Hidilyn Diaz not part of 'conspiracy' vs Duterte". Rappler. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  72. ^ "Olympic heroine Hidilyn Diaz's life story featured on TV drama 'Maalaala Mo Kaya'". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. September 22, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  73. ^ "Rio Olympic feat gives Hidilyn PSA top award". The Philippine Star. January 20, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  74. ^ "LOOK: Hidilyn Diaz receives Congressional medal, monetary award". Rappler. August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  75. ^ a b "House adopts reso conferring Congressional Medal of Excellence to Hidilyn Diaz". Manila Bulletin. August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
Olympic Games
Preceded by Flagbearer for  Philippines
London 2012
Succeeded by