Weightlifter Hidlin Diaz creates history by giving Philippines the first Olympic gold
Hidlin Diaz scripted history for the Philippines by winning the first Olympic gold medal in the women’s weightlifting 55kg category at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday.
The Philippines has previously won three silver and seven bronze medals at the Olympics. Four-time Olympian Diaz ended the country’s gold medal drought. He lifted a total of 224 kg in the snatch and 127 kg in the clean and jerk. China’s Liao Qiyun lifted a total of 223kg and claimed the silver medal, while Kazakhstan’s Zulfia Chinshanlo bagged the bronze with 213kg.
Diaz and Liao came face to face in the final round. Liao, the current world record holder in clean and jerk and total lift, managed 126kg on his third attempt, but Diaz won gold in the final lift with 127kg.
