TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: Hidilyn Diaz of Team Philippines competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 55kg Group A on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Cover TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: Hidilyn Diaz of Team Philippines competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 55kg Group A on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

This is why Hidilyn Diaz' win at the Olympics means more to us than just a gold medal

No doubt, your online feeds are full of congratulatory remarks for Hidilyn Diaz, all of which are incredibly well-deserved. The 30-year-old weightlifter has earned her spot in sports history, and it couldn't have come at a more meaningful time. There are more nuances to her triumph than might be obvious, and this is why her gold medal means so much more than a mere historic first. Though we must point out: this is our first. In nearly a century of sportsmanship, no Filipino has yet won the coveted medal—but on 26 July 2021, a Filipina had. 

This is perhaps the first aspect of Diaz's win that gives us so much hope: that she is a woman, and a woman is not traditionally seen (at least in the Philippines) in male-dominated sports such as weightlifting. Yet, she's proven not just her talent but has also shown the world (quite literally) her strength. 

Read more: Tokyo Olympics 2021: Meet Filipino Representatives Carlos Yulo, Hidilyn Diaz, And More

A Filipino Narrative

Hidilyn Diaz seems to represent a very typically Filipino narrative: she has risen against the odds. An Instagram story of hers from 2019 has now been circulating online wherein she admits to being "hirap na hirap". She needs financial support but is embarrassed to ask for it from private companies. Nevertheless, she resolves to do so in order to help achieve her (and our collective) dream, of winning a gold medal. This seems to be a recurrent theme for many of our Filipino athletes (as well as scientists and artists): there simply isn't much support. Photos of her training with makeshift equipment—water jugs, luggage, and resistance bands—have also circulated online. 

In 2019, Diaz's quest to find support had also brought her under attack by online trolls. She's also been red-tagged, harassed, and bullied online. Despite this, she persevered and has spoken out multiple times about her commitment to the Olympic games and winning a gold medal (after her silver medal at Rio in 2016). Now, her perseverance had brought her to the winners' podium, where millions first heard the Lupang Hinirang as it was broadcasted live all over the world. Diaz can be seen singing the words with pride underneath her mask, a triumphant Filipina for all the world to see. 

Tatler Asia
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26:  (L-R) Silver medalist Qiuyun Liao of Team China, gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz of Team Philippines and bronze medalist Zulfiya Chinshanlo of Team Kazakhstan pose during the medal ceremony for the Weightlifting - Women's 55kg Group A on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Above TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: (L-R) Silver medalist Qiuyun Liao of Team China, gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz of Team Philippines and bronze medalist Zulfiya Chinshanlo of Team Kazakhstan pose during the medal ceremony for the Weightlifting - Women's 55kg Group A on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

No Longer Defeatist

It seems poignant that Diaz had won against China's Liao Qiuyun by a mere one kilogram. Taking into context the tensions between the two countries, Diaz's victory becomes much more meaningful. Though it would be unfair to place any sort of discrimination on Liao Qiuyun's shoulders (she is, after all, simply another athlete with very similar dreams), Diaz's win is inspiring for a nation of people who have constantly had to insist on protection when faced with maltreatment or bullying. The current administration has constantly upheld a defeatist attitude towards China, yet Diaz's win has translated as concrete proof that Filipinos are not necessarily so.  

 

Tatler Asia
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: Hidilyn Diaz of Team Philippines competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 55kg Group A on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Above TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: Hidilyn Diaz of Team Philippines competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 55kg Group A on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo International Forum on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

A Winner, Indeed

The pride is palpable: individuals, groups, and private companies have all come out of the woodwork to praise and thank Hidilyn Diaz. She's earned herself around 53 million pesos worth of incentives—including cash gifts, a Megaworld condominium, and free flights for life from both Philippine Airlines and AirAsia. Though these came to her at much the same time, it's quite obvious that she's earned these through years of sacrifices, hard work, and sportsmanship. She is, indeed, a most deserving winner, one that, through these times of hardships is a shared victory among all our fellow kababayans

See also: Hidilyn Diaz: 5 Things You Should Know About The Filipina Olympic Champion