Sotto files resolution congratulating Hidilyn Diaz for PH's first gold in Olympics
July 27, 2021 04:51 PM
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III files Senate Resolution congratulating Hidilyn Diaz for winning the Philippines' first-ever gold medal in the World Olympics.
"Her international achievements are noteworthy of her prowess in the sport of weightlifting which is known to many as a male-dominated sport, and for being a team player..."
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III filed Senate Resolution No. 793 to commend Philippine Air Force Sergeant Hidilyn Francisco Diaz for winning the Philippines' first-ever gold medal in the 2020 World Olympics since joining the event over a century ago in 1924.
Diaz won a gold medal in the Women's Weightlifting 55-kg division on July 26 at the Tokyo International Forum. She is the only female Filipino athlete to win two medals in the Olympics.
She first participated in the Olympics at the age of 17 in 2008, where she was known as the first female weightlifter to compete for the Philippines at the prestigious event, and the youngest contestant in the women's 58-kg category.
In 2012, Diaz also competed in the Olympics, however, she did not win any medals until her third participation in 2016 when she scored a silver medal in the women's 53-kg weight division.
Winning internationally since 2006
Diaz has already been competing for the country since 2006, when she won 10th place at the 2006 Asian Games in the 53-kg class; two gold medals, and one silver medal in Korea's Asian Youth/Junior Weightlifting Championship.
She also won a gold medal in the Roma 2020 World Cup, bronze medals in both the 2017 and 2019 World Championships, a silver medal in the 2019 World Championships, a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, among many other world-renowned competitions.
Honoring Diaz's win and her admirable efforts, Sotto's measure read, "Her international achievements are noteworthy of her prowess in the sport of weightlifting which is known to many as a male-dominated sport, and for being a team player..."
"... her historic victory at the 2020 Olympic Games will greatly inspire and guide the Filipinos in general and the youth in particular that no dream is unreachable and no goal is unattainable as long as one devotes himself or herself to the achievement of that dream."
