Hontiveros on Diaz’ victory: ‘97 years worth the wait’

Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution honoring the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist and weightlifting champion, Hidilyn Diaz.

“The first Filipino Olympic champion is a woman. During one of the most difficult moments in world history, a Filipina did that against all odds— amid the pandemic, despite limited resources, and in spite of unnecessary political controversy,” she said.

The chair of the Senate committee on women said the country’s 97-year gold medal drought at the Olympics “was worth the wait.”

“The grace and dignity with which Hidilyn Diaz rose above the challenges laid in her path show that girls with dreams become women with vision,” she added.

Diaz made history on Monday when she brought home the country’s maiden Olympic gold. The Zamboangueña also set two Olympic records in the process. She recorded a new Olympic record lift of 127 kg in the clean and jerk, and with her 97kg in snatch, achieved the second Olympic weightlifting record of 224kg in total.

Hontiveros said that Diaz’s journey re-energized our Filipino pride amid a ‘painful time in history’.

“Hidilyn’s gold medal shines bright in the dark story of the pandemic. Her odyssey starting as a girl lifting plastic pipes and homemade concrete weights cast in old tin cans to her moving victory in Tokyo should serve as a reminder of every Filipina’s resilience in the face of adversity, perseverance despite uncertainty, and strength against all odds. Isang paalala na kailangan natin ngayon,” the senator said.

“To the many Filipinos representing us at the Olympics, this is the first, and definitely not the last. Whatever the outcome, thank you for your indomitable spirit,” Hontiveros said.

“You are already the greatest of the greats. We are excited to welcome you all home. For now, take your rightful place in history,” she said.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)