Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz brought pride to the Philippines after winning the country’s first gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games currently held in Indonesia.
Diaz bested 11 other competitors during the women’s 53 kilogram (kg) in weightlifting last Tuesday, August 21, at the Jakarta International Expo.
The 27-year-old weightlifter from Zamboanga City won the gold after lifting 92 kilograms in the snatch and 115 kilograms in the clean and jerk for a total of 207 kilograms, reported ABS-CBN News.
Diaz beat out Kristina Shermetova from Turkmenistan who came in second after lifting a total weight of 201 kilograms, and Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao who placed third with a total lift of 201 kilograms.
Diaz also left a message to her countrymen after her historical win.
Dessa Delos Santos, another Filipino weightlifter in the competition, placed 8th with a total life of 180 kilograms.
After Diaz’s victory, the Philippines medal standing at the Asian Games is at one gold and four bronze.
