Sacrifice, exile in Malaysia: How Filipina Hidilyn Diaz made Olympic history


The daughter of a tricycle driver in a poor village near Zamboanga, Diaz has not seen her family since December 2019. - Reuters

TOKYO (AFP): Triumphant weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz will now forget the years of exile, sacrifice, training and nutrition that took her to the Philippines' first Olympic gold by tucking into her favourite sweet passions, cheesecake and bubble tea.

"Yes I will eat a lot tonight," she smiled as she told AFP of her plans after her final massive 127kg lift eclipsed China's world record holder Liao Qiuyun in the women's 55kg class and gave her country a first gold after 97 years of Olympic competition.

The Star Christmas Special Promo: Save 35% OFF Yearly. T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Philippines , Hidilyn Diaz , Olympics

Next In Aseanplus News

Asean news headlines as of 10pm on Tuesday (Dec 23)
Nearly five years’ jail for Singapore man who used different schemes to cheat 37 victims of over S$1.4mil
Bangladesh summons Indian envoy as protest erupts in New Delhi
Cambodia earns US$14.83bil from exports of garments, footwear in Jan-Nov
Philippine live births fall to around 1.36 million in 2024
Heavy congestion expected at Brunei's border during holiday period
Sabah MACC proposes governance improvements for state rural housing programme
Myanmar nationals caught with 10 drones in Bangkok: Police
Taiwan metro attack suspect's parents apologise after deadly stabbing
Christmas spirit lights up HCM City streets

Others Also Read