Senate adopts reso commending Hidilyn Diaz for historic Olympic gold

The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution commending and honoring weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz for her historic win in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The upper house adopted 12 Senate resolutions filed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel  Zubiri, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Risa Hontiveros, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Nancy Binay, Richard  Gordon, Imee Marcos, Joel Villanueva and Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao.

Sotto, who sponsored the measure, said Diaz’s podium finish in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic only made the success sweeter not only for herself but also for the Filipino people.

“In 2019, her plea for financial support echoed and this struggle mirrored the life of the majority of Filipino athletes. But being the persistent and strong lady that she is, she endured these trials and came out as a victor,” Sotto said.

“She is the epitome that everything is achievable if you focus and work hard to reach your dreams no matter how high or impossible it may seem,” he added.

Diaz was a true inspiration and motivation to the youth, especially those living in the far-flung areas where opportunities are "elusive and hindered" by poverty, the Senate chief said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto also co-sponsored the measures, lauding Diaz for the “historic and sweet” victory on Monday night.

“With one lift, she raised the spirits of 110 million people, battered by the pandemic but not beaten, craving for one inspiring story that will break the gloomy monotony of long days looking for jobs and jabs and endless quarantine nights,” he said.

“Her victory came at the right time when hope is in short supply. Her triumph generated so much joy that it boosted our Gross National Happiness,” he added.

Apart from Sotto and Recto, the measure was co-sponsored by Go, Revilla, Zubiri, Villanueva, Hontiveros, Gordon, among others.

Diaz won the country's first gold medal in the Olympics after conquering the women's 55-kg weightlifting event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Monday at the Tokyo International Forum.

She finished with a total score of 224 kg, lifting 97 in the snatch and 127 in the clean & jerk to outduel China's Liao Qiuyun for the gold.

Her historic win ended a near century-long Olympic gold medal drought since the Philippines first competed in the games in 1924. — BM/RSJ, GMA News