Amid the negativity and uncertainty about our nation’s affairs, news of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games comes like a breath of fresh air.
The 27-year-old Air Force servicewoman, who competed in the 53-kg event, earned for the country its first gold at the Games. She also has the distinction of being the first woman from the Philippines to earn an Olympic medal—she won a silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
With her victory Diaz will reap several rewards—a P2-million cash prize, a scholarship, and health care benefits as provided for by the Athletes’ Benefits and Incentives Act. She will also receive P2 million from the Philippine Olympic Committee and P1 million each from the Siklab Foundation and Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hoong.
Diaz is hopeful that with the help of her new coach, Gao Kaiwen, she can score a gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Diaz hails from Zamboanga and plans to pursue her college education, continue her air force career—all while preparing for the Olympics.
Filipinos like Diaz serve as an inspiration to millions of aspiring athletes especially those who have encountered disappointments, even adversity, in the past. Their determination and dedication extends not only to their sporting career but in other aspects in general. Moreover, with their success, they think not about self-aggrandizement but about giving back to society.
In Diaz’s case, she plans to help the fledgling weightlifting community in the Philippines.
Diaz gained a gold and the Philippines gained a source of national pride anew. The rest of us, meanwhile, gained a reminder that no matter how murky the national situation appears, there are individual stories of success that will see us through difficult times.