The 30-year-old sets an Olympic record, lifting a combined weight of 224 kg in the women’s 55kg weightlifting competition.
"I thought it would be like going down, my performance, but I was shocked I was able to do it," Diaz says in a post-match interview.
"We are one with the Filipino nation in celebrating the remarkable and historic success of Hidilyn Diaz in the recently held Women’s 55kg Weightlifting Competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games," says Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar in a written statement.
"Mabuhay ka, Hidilyn! We are so proud of you. Saludo ako sa galing ng atletang Pilipino."
The Filipina beats world champion Liao Quiyun of China who took silver with 223 kg and Zulfiya Chinshanlo of Kazakhstan who won bronze with 213 kg.
During the competition, Kazakhstan's Chinshanlo attempted to complete a 123 kg lift whilst China's Liao lifts 126 kg. Diaz broke the record, lifting 127 kg.
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