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Pinay weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz just won the first-ever Olympic gold medal of the Philippines after winning the women's 55-kilogram category.

It is also Hidilyn's first Olympics gold medal, so it was a double victory for the 30-year-old Filipina athlete.

Aside from her recent win, Hidilyn has also won the bronze medal in the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand and the silver medal in the 53-kg weight division at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Pinay weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the first Olympic gold medalist from the Philippines / Source: hidilyndiaz (IG)

In her 'Mars Pa More' interview after being promoted by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to Airwoman First Class in 2016, she shared why she chose weightlifting as her sport.

“Kasi masaya. Masaya tsaka challenging ang weightlifting.

“Saka, (pinili ko ang) weightlifting kasi sa ibang sports (tulad ng) basketball medyo mahina ako sa mga siko-siko.

“Then volleyball, masakit dito. Tapos sa badminton, ang reaksyon ko naman mahina.

“So sabi ko, 'Weightlifting.'”

Hidilyn also talked about the challenges she encountered in her weightlifting journey.

“Mahirap siya kasi along the way…kasi nag 2008, 2012 ako na Olympics

“Pero itong journey ng 2016 ang pinakamahirap kasi nung 2014 nagsimula nang mag-injury.

“Tapos natanggal 'yung former coach ko.

“Tapos hindi rin ako nakapaglaro sa iba-ibang laro: Asian Games, World Championship.

“Sabi ko, 'Wala na 'to.'”

The Pinay athlete apparently survived and thrived despite those difficulties, and during the interview, she relived the moment she won the silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

“Sobrang saya. Unexpected 'yung pangyayari kasi gusto ko bronze lang--'yung goal ko bronze lang--kaso binigay ni God sa'kin silver.

“Sabi ko, 'Lord, ang bait mo.' Kakaiba siya. Kakaiba.”

Hidilyn then talked about her willingness to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

“Gusto kong sumali sa Tokyo 2020,” Hidilyn revealed. “Mag-aaral ako then pagsabayin ko ang training ko para sa Tokyo 2020.”

When asked how often she needs to train for the Tokyo Olympics, Hidilyn revealed that she needs to train every single day.

“Every day, kailangan,” she said.

Her daily training sure paid off as it helped Hidilyn make a historic win for the Philippines on Monday, July 26, after winning in the women's 55-kilogram weightlifting category, held at the Tokyo International Forum.

You can watch the history-making Pinay athlete's full interview in the 'Mars Pa More' video above.

If the video above is not loading properly, you may watch it HERE instead.

Tune in to Mars Pa More from Monday to Friday, at 8:45 a.m. on GMA-7.

Viewers abroad can also watch 'Mars Pa More' via GMA's flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

And for more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

Get to know more Filipina achievers like Hidilyn Diaz in the gallery below.