The Negros Occidental provincial government will honor weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino to ever win an Olympic gold medal in 97 years, at the Capitol in Bacolod City at 2 p.m. Friday, September 10, Monico Puentevella, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president, said.
The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan Thursday, Sept. 9, passed a resolution congratulating Diaz for her gold medal win in the Tokyo Olympics and conferring on her the title of adopted daughter of the province of Negros Occidental.
The Filipino nation is proud of the achievement of Diaz for bringing pride and glory to the Philippines, SP Resolution 0751 Series of 2021, said.
The province of Negros Occidental acknowledges the hard work, determination and focus of Diaz to win the coveted gold medal, it said.
Diaz, who is arriving with her coach Julius Naranjo, will be training in one of gyms in Bacolod on Saturday. She is now training for the world weightlifting championship in Uzbekistan in December, Puentevella, former Bacolod mayor and representative, said.
She is the defending champion in the women’s weightlifting 55 kg category, he added.
Diaz may also meet with Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) and Silay Mayor Mark Golez on Saturday, he added.
Diaz received P3 million from the Philippine Olympic Committee on Wednesday and numerous other awards, he said.
Puentevella said the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas has donated weightlifting equipment to Negros Occidental, and the weightlifting program of the province will be launched.*