Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Hidilyn Diaz winning the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold medal in Tokyo Monday night, July 26, should be “an inspiration to future athletes, that we Filipinos can compete against the world’s best.”
Diaz edged out world champion Liao Qiuyun of China in the women’s 55kg weightlifting competition to win the gold.
Former Bacolod mayor and representative Monico Puentevella, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president, earlier expressed confidence that Diaz would bring home the gold.
“Congratulations to Hidalyn Diaz on our very first Olympic Gold for the Philippines,” Lacson said.
Lacson also congratulated Puentevella, who is also at the Tokyo Olympics, “who continued to believe in Ms. Diaz.”*