As the 2024 Paris Olympics come into the final events, nations worldwide have achieved many firsts. For example, Japanese Javelin thrower Kitaguchi Haruka became the first Japanese woman to earn a gold medal in the event.
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The Philippines also achieved some major firsts this year, with gymnast Carlos Yulo becoming the first man from the country to win gold in any event and the first to earn two gold medals.
Ultimate Redemption: The Filipino Olympic Athlete Who Just Won The Country’s 2nd Ever Gold Medal
The very first Filipino gold medal was earned during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by Hidilyn Diaz. The female weightlifter competed in the 55kg category, setting the Olympic records for the clean and jerk and in total overall.
She received a hero’s welcome home as the country celebrated her massive victory.
After the games, Diaz continued her education, graduating from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde with a degree in Business Management in 2023. Her personal life also saw some changes, as she married her coach, Julius Naranjo, in 2022.
Like many other Olympians, the Tokyo Games were not her first games, having previously won silver in 2016, and many expected to see her return this year. However, she cannot be found among the competitors this year.
This year, the Olympics narrowed the weightlifting categories, making eighty fewer spots available. Each country can enter three weightlifters per gender and one per weight category.
Diaz was forced to move up a weight division and ultimately failed to qualify after being out-lifted by Elreen Ando, who previously competed in the 64kg category. She took the loss in stride, and promised to continue supporting and inspiring Filipino athletes.
She took this promise to the next level with the opening of her Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy in June 2024, offering training for anyone interested regardless of experience level.
And though she is not competing in the games, Diaz was present at the games! In addition to celebrating Yulo’s victories with him, Diaz attended the weightlifting competition as a member of the Athletes Commission.
Diaz previously discussed the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, unsure if she would compete. However, she has and continues to be an excellent role model for the Philippines!
