Olympic medalist and Benildean Hidilyn Diaz outlifted her competition in the women’s weightlifting 53-kilograms event yesterday in the 2018 Asian Games, bringing home the Philippines’ first gold at Jakarta International Expo Hall A, Indonesia.

Diaz, who is currently taking up Business Administration major in Business Management in the College, defeated 11 other competitors by lifting 92 kilograms in the snatch and 115 kilograms in the clean and jerk for a total of 207 kilograms. She bested Turkmenistan’s Kristina Shermetova (206kg) and Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao (201kg).

Read more: Olympic medalist Hidilyn Diaz now officially a Benildean

In a previous interview with The Benildean, Stephen Fernandez, Center for Sports Development Director, mentioned how Diaz always aimed to do more for the country.



“Hidilyn is like a symbol of excellence in sports in our country and [also as a student-athlete because] she’s thinking also how to incorporate her talent [and] skill with the mindset she has to achieve more to achieve what has been already done for our country,” he said.

As of writing, the Philippines now ranks 15th over 22 countries, with one gold medal and four bronze medals, including Consular and Diplomatic Affairs alumna Agatha Wong’s win for wushu.

The Zamboanguena rose to fame when she ended the country’s 20-year-medal drought at the 2016 Summer Olympics Weightlifting tournament.

Photos by Aly Mananquil