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Gold medallist Hidilyn Diaz, of the Philippines, celebrates her Tokyo 2020 Olympics triumph. Photo: Reuters
Sport

Tokyo Olympics: Manny Pacquiao ‘so proud’ of Hidilyn Diaz for winning Philippines’ first gold medal

  • The boxing Senator pays tribute to Filipino weightlifter after triumph in 55kg event
  • Sporting stars weigh in to congratulate Diaz after ending Philippines’ 97-year wait for an Olympic champion
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Nicolas Atkin
Nicolas Atkin
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The plaudits and adulation have been coming thick and fast for Hidilyn Diaz.

The 30-year-old Filipino weightlifter won her country’s first Olympic gold medal in its 97-year history of competing at the Games on Monday night, setting an Olympic record in the 55kg category.

Now the Philippines’ most famous athlete has given her some warm words on social media.

“Thank you, Hidilyn Diaz, for the first-ever Olympic Gold for the Philippines! We are so proud of you!” wrote Manny Pacquiao, the former eight-division world boxing champion.

The 42-year-old Pacquiao, who is in Los Angeles training for his August 21 bout against American Errol Spence, also posted a picture praising Diaz for her “hard work and perseverance”.

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Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines’ first Olympic gold, ending its near 100-year wait

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines’ first Olympic gold, ending its near 100-year wait

Diaz spent 18 months training in self-exile in Malaysia before the Games, because of Covid-19 restrictions in the Philippines, and at one point event took to Instagram to beg for financial support so she could continue to chase her Olympic dream.

“We celebrate you and your success,” Pacuiao added.

Another Filipino boxer, the 25-year-old Eumir Marcial – who is competing at the Tokyo Olympics – also paid tribute to Diaz on social media.
Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz (centre) reacts after winning in the women’s 55kg weightlifting competition at Tokyo 2020. Photo: AFP

“Congratulations Ate Hidilyn Diaz. Speechless. I am so happy today. Long live Ate,” he wrote on Instagram, with an emoji of the Philippines national flag.

Filipino basketball sensation Kai Sotto also weighed in. “This right here!” he said, retweeting a post from the official Tokyo 2020 account celebrating Diaz’s achievement. “Congrats Hidilyn.”

Four-time Olympian Diaz – who also won silver at the Rio 2016 Games – earned 33 million pesos (US$660,000) in cash prizes from the government and several businessmen, and also a house and lot, for her historic triumph on Monday.

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