Lariba, the Philippine’s flag-bearer in this edition of the Summer Games, fought valiantly against Xing Han of Congo, but just couldn’t put together a rally to outclass her foe.
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Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines reacts after competing during the women’s 58-kg, group B, weightlifting competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
MALACAÑANG congratulated Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz on Monday for winning a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, ending the 20-year medal drought of the Philippines in the Olympics. Diaz is also the first non-boxer, female Filipino Olympic medalist. “I wanted to quit, but now all of my sacrifices have paid off”.
Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz celebrates during the women’s 53kg weightlifting event at the Rio 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro on August 7, 2016.
The Vice President said that the Zamboanga City native has become an inspiration to Filipinos after her historic win. Ladon will need two wins to break into the medal round The Philippines has not won any Olympic medal since 1996 but boxing has given the country at least five of the nine medals it has garnered since its participation in the Olympics.
Diaz is a veteran of three Olympics despite her youth.
She impressed critics in her Olympic debut in Beijing eight years ago despite coming up empty-handed. “In fact any medal would be enough for me”, Hidilyn said, almost in tears and choking, and could hardly find words to describe her emotions after the medal ceremony.
Diaz is expected to come home to a heroes’ welcome in Manila as she is set to come back on August 10.
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Diaz successfully lifted 88 kilograms in the snatch phase of the competition before achieving a personal best 112 kg in clean & jerk.
