Philippine Lifter Hidilyn Diaz Ends Country's 20-Year Olympic Medal Drought

Manila, Philippines, 05 Dzulqa’dah 1437/08 August 2016 (MINA) — Malacañang has extended its congratulations to Hidilyn Diaz for making Filipinos proud after she won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics.

“The Philippines and the president [are] honored and proud of Hidilyn Diaz’s silver medal win at the Rio Olympics,” Philstar quoted presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella as saying on Monday morning.

“We extend our sincerest congratulations and celebrate the end of the medal drought. Truly change has come,” Abella added.

Diaz won the silver medal of the women’s 53-kg weightlifting with a total of 212kg at the Olympic Games on Sunday, which ended the Philippines’ 20-year Olympic medal drought. It is also the country’s first medal in weightlifting.

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The Philippines last snared an Olympic medal in the Atlanta Games in 1996 when Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco won silver in boxing. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)