Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2016 Olympic Games

Diaz aims for bronze, gets unexpected silver


It took a while before the moment sunk in for Hidilyn Diaz.

“I was surprised why the South Koreans were celebrating when everybody thought they were fourth. It turned out that they had won the bronze. Taipei took the gold instead of the silver and us, the silver instead of the bronze,” said the 25-year-old Filipina.

A Gift from God


Diaz was already being congratulated for winning the bronze when the South Korean camp started rejoicing in the warm-up area, saying they had won bronze. Everybody did not expect the Chinese to fail in all three attempts in the clean and jerk.

When she completed her lift at 112, Diaz and her coach, Alfonso Aldanete, started to celebrate. The Zamboanga City native jumped into the arms of her coach. At that time, they knew they were assured of the bronze medal.

The Filipino sports officials at ringside, led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco and chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta, started celebrating as well. The other officials who were there included International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski; her predecessor, Frank Elizalde; POC officers Steve Hontiveros and Julian Camacho; and former Philippine weightlifting head Monico Puentevella.

Diaz received her silver medal with a beaming smile on her face, joining the two other medalists at the podium. For the first time in 20 years in the Olympics, the Philippine flag was raised during an awarding ceremony.

“Pinanalo ni Hidilyn yung bronze na yan. Yung silver regalo ng Diyos. Walang kapares ang Olympics,” said Cojuangco, adding that he hoped that Diaz’ triumph would be the start of a new chapter in Philippine Sports.

“I hope this is the ice-breaker,” said Cojuangco, adding that the athletes have President Duterte to thank.

#ReadMore  Rey Nambatac heats up as Rain or Shine forces Game 7

A Song for Her Mother


Prior to Li Yajun’s turn to take center stage, Diaz had already contacted her mother in Zamboanga City, who had stayed up late and watched her daughter on the telivision.

Diaz dedicated the win to her mother, Emelita, who had celebrated her 53rd birthday the other day. She shared that they had spoken on the phone again after the victory, and said she was told that her mother had cried watching her win a medal.

It was a historic moment not only for Philippine sports, but for the country in general. The long wait is over, and even before the Filipinos plunged into action here, others aired doubts about whether the country can win any medal here in Rio.

By Abac Cordero

Written By


You May Also Like

19th Asian Games

Hidilyn Diaz’s quest for a medal at the 19th Asian Games came tantalizingly close but ultimately ended in fourth place in the women’s 59kg...

2024 Summer Olympics

Hidilyn Diaz stayed on pace in the Olympics race in the women’s under-59 kg category with a seventh-place finish overall in the 2023 World...

CSB

It’s never too late to earn a degree. Just ask Hidilyn Diaz. The country’s first and only Olympic gold medalist received her bachelor’s degree...

News

Hidilyn Diaz had an impressive debut in the women’s under-59 kg category at the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships at the Jinju Arena in South...

News

In a night of celebration, the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night will gather the best and brightest of the past...

News

She’s a woman of many firsts. Hidilyn Diaz, 31, made history as the first Filipino athlete to win a gold medal in the Olympics....

News

Hidilyn Diaz is now a world champion. The current Olympic champion annexed the world title to her list of accolades after ruling the Women’s...

2021 SEA Games

The Golden Lady struck again. Hidilyn Diaz captured her second straight Southeast Asian Games gold after dominating the women’s minus-55 kg with a total...

Advertisement