She lifted a total of 224 kilograms in Tokyo Olympics, now Filipino Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines' First Olympic Gold Medal

Hidilyn Diaz

Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz makes Olympic history after securing the Philippines' first ever Olympic Gold medal on Monday night, July 26 in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.

Diaz, who is 4 feet 11 inches, struck gold and an Olympic record after conquering the women's 55 kilograms weightlifting event.

The 30-year-old Zamboanga City pride clears 97 kilograms on the snatch and an Olympic record 127 kilograms in the clean & jerk for a total of 224 kilograms, edging out China's world record holder Liao Qiuyun, who finished with 223 kg.

"It's unbelievable, it's a dream, come true," Diaz said, as her tears flowed freely. 

"I want to say to the young generation in the Philippines, 'You can have this dream of gold, too.' This is how I started and finally I was able to do it."

PURE EMOTION from Hidilyn Diaz as she wins the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal in any sport 🇵🇭#TokyoOlympics | @OnHerTurf | #OlympicHERstory pic.twitter.com/uZPw1B2ISk

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 26, 2021

In 2016 Diaz won the silver medal in Rio that ended the Philippines' 20-year Olympic medal drought.

All praise and gratitude were extended to Tokyo Olympics Filipino Gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.  Malacanang is very proud of Diaz's victory.

Philippines' presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a written statement that Diaz brought pride and glory to the Philippines.

"Congratulations, Hidilyn.  The entire Filipino nation is proud of you," he said.

Hidilyn will come home to the Philippines a multimillionaire. The Philippine Sports Commission guaranteed a 10 million-peso incentive for every Olympic gold medal won, as well as a house. Several prominent businessmen also pledged to give cash to a gold medalist.