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Filipino Weightlifter Receives Spectacular Gifts After Winning Nation’s First Olympic Gold Medal

Filipino Weightlifter Receives Spectacular Gifts After Winning Nation’s First Olympic Gold Medal

She was awarded a $660,000 (£478,000) prize, along with two houses

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

Hidilyn Diaz has made history after becoming the first Filipino athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics - and now it looks as though she's going to be suitably rewarded for her achievement.

The weightlifter will receive a $660,000 (£478,000) prize to mark her sensational triumph, along with two houses.

Diaz broke an Olympic record at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Monday (26 July), lifting a mega 127kg to seal victory in the women's weightlifting 55kg competition.

Diaz broke down after winning her country's first ever gold medal.
PA

According to Bloomberg, the gold medallist will receive the huge cash prize from the Filipino government and a number of local businessmen. It was reported that the prize money has always been guaranteed to any Filipino, if they were to win gold but this is the first time it has happened.

As well as that, she will also be given a house in Tagaytay provided by Philippine Olympic president Abraham Tolentino.

If that wasn't enough, another house was gifted by Chinese Filipino billionaire Andrew Lim Tan - a luxury $280,000 (£203,000) condo in Eastwood City.

A delighted Diaz told told Eurosport, "It's unbelievable, it's a dream, come true.

PA

"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."

However, when looking at her various difficulties prior to this year's Olympics, her accomplishment becomes even more remarkable.

According to Insider, the 30-year-old was forced to spend seven months in Malaysia, away from her family in the Philippines, because of Covid travel restrictions.

This caused many training limitations but Diaz decided to build her own personal gym made up of everyday objects - including a barbell made from two water bottles hanging from a bamboo pole.

Sharing her unique training methods on Instagram, Diaz wrote: "No barbel, No problem. Bamboo stick and 2 big bottles of water."


Diaz also posted a video of herself in a car park where she was sprinting up ramps in order to stay in shape.

She wrote: "Not being able to train and stuck at home quarantine has been very difficult for me. But I must stay proactive and find ways to keep me moving."

Following the huge reward for her Olympic gold, she is most likely not having to lift water bottles instead of weights anymore.

Diaz added: "I'm looking forward to enjoying life because I have been in Malaysia for almost two years, so I'm really thankful I can go home now and celebrate with my family and the people who support me."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: SPORT, World News, olympics