Hidilyn Diaz

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Francisco, the birth surname or paternal family name is Diaz, and the marital name is Naranjo.

Hidilyn Diaz
OLY[1]
Diaz in 2021
Born
Hidilyn Francisco Diaz

(1991-02-20) February 20, 1991 (age 33)
Zamboanga City, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Alma materDe La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (BBA)
OccupationProfessional weightlifter
Spouse
​
(m. 2022)​
Sports career
Height1.58 m (5 ft 2 in)
Weight58.65 kg (129.3 lb)
CountryPhilippines
SportWeightlifting
Event(s)–59 kg, –55 kg
ClubZamboanga
Coached byGao Kaiwen (Weightlifting Coach)
Julius Naranjo (Weightlifting/Strength and Conditioning Coach) Catalino Diaz (First Coach)
Antonio Agustin Jr. (Former Coach)
Sports achievements and titles
Personal bests
  • Snatch: 102 kg (2013, NR)
  • Clean & Jerk: 127 kg (2021, OR)
  • Total: 224 kg (2021, OR)[2]
Medal record
Women's weightlifting
Representing the  Philippines
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Summer Olympics 1 1 0
World Championships 1 0 3
Asian Games 1 0 0
Asian Championships 1 1 1
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 0 1 0
Southeast Asian Games 2 2 1
Total 6 5 5
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo –55 kg
Silver medal – second place 2016 Rio de Janeiro –53 kg
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Bogotá –55 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Houston –53 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Anaheim –53 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Pattaya –55 kg
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Jakarta–Palembang –53 kg
Asian Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Phuket –53 kg
Silver medal – second place 2019 Ningbo –55 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Tashkent –53 kg
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
Silver medal – second place 2017 Ashgabat –53 kg
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2019 Philippines –55 kg
Gold medal – first place 2021 Vietnam –55 kg
Silver medal – second place 2011 Jakarta-Palembang –58 kg
Silver medal – second place 2013 Naypyidaw –58 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima –58 kg
Military career
Allegiance Philippines
Service / branch Philippine Air Force
Years of service2013–present
Rank Second Lieutenant
UnitAir Force Special Service Group, PAF Personnel Management Center, 710th Special Operations Wing, Philippine Air Force Civil-Military Operations Group
Awards Military Merit Medal
Presidential Citation Unit Badge
Signature

Hidilyn Francisco Diaz-Naranjo[3][4] (Tagalog: [haɪdiˈlin ˈdias naˈɾanho];[5] born February 20, 1991)[6] is a Filipino weightlifter and airwoman. She holds two Olympic records in weightlifting for her performance at the women's 55 kg category for weightlifting at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

In her early weightlifting years, she was a bronze medalist in the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand and achieved 10th place at the 2006 Asian Games in the 53-kilogram class. While she was a student and representing Universidad de Zamboanga, she won two golds and one silver in the Asian Youth/Junior Weightlifting Championship held in Jeonju, South Korea.[7][8][9] She competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, where she was the youngest competitor in the women's 58-kg category.[10]

In the 2016 Summer Olympics, Diaz won the silver medal in the women's 53-kg weight division, the first Filipino to win a medal in a non-boxing event since 1936[11] and ending the Philippines' 20-year Olympic medal drought.

On July 26, 2021, at the 2020 Summer Olympics for the women's 55 kg category for weightlifting, Diaz won the gold medal for the Philippines, becoming the first Filipino to ever win an Olympic gold medal.[12] She also set Olympic records for the 55 kg division in the clean and jerk at 127 kg and in the total at 224 kg.[13]

Early life and education

Hidilyn Francisco Diaz is the fifth of six children of Eduardo and Emelita (née Francisco) Diaz. Her father was a tricycle driver before becoming a farmer and a fisherman. She grew up wanting to be a banker and trying several sports, like basketball and volleyball.[14] Her cousin, Allen Jayfrus Diaz, taught her the basics of weightlifting.[15]

Diaz attended the Zamboanga A.E. Colleges (later Universidad de Zamboanga; UZ) for her high school studies under a scholarship.[16] In college, she pursued a bachelor's degree in computer science at the same school. She then stopped attending the university as a third year irregular student as she found her degree unsuitable for her.[17][18] She also claimed that it distracted her training.[17] After her success in the 2016 Olympics, Diaz decided to continue her tertiary education and intended to pursue a degree related to sports in Manila.[19]

In January 2017, Diaz received a scholarship to study business management at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.[20]

In 2019, Diaz took a leave of absence from her schooling while she focused on preparation for the Olympics after winning the Asian Games.[21][22] In 2020, Diaz re-enrolled into online classes because the 2020 Summer Olympics were postponed to July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[23]

In July 2023, Diaz graduated from Saint Benilde and earned her business management degree.[24]

In October 2024, Diaz enrolled in a short course, the Athlete Career Transition Sports Ethics and Integrity at KU Leuven in partnership with the International Olympic Committee Solidarity in Belgium.[25]

Competitive career

First learning weightlifting from her older cousins, Diaz initially lifted using makeshift barbells made of mag wheels or concrete. Prior to high school, Diaz joined the University of Zamboanga's (UZ) extension program to train in weightlifting under her cousin Catalino Diaz who was also her first coach. Elementary students not enrolled in UZ were able to train under the program of Institute of Human Kinetics director Elbert Atilano. She had to do part-time work to fund her transportation to a local gymnasium. Her part-time jobs were selling vegetables and fish and washing jeepneys. Diaz's first competition was the 2002 Batang Pinoy in Puerto Princesa. She went on to compete in various local and national competitions and secured support from the local government. Diaz became part of the Philippine national weightlifting team at age 13.[16]

2008 Summer Olympics

Diaz was selected as a wild card entry to the Beijing Olympics by the Philippine Weightlifting Association in early 2008.[26] This made her the first female weightlifter to compete for the Philippines in the Olympics, and the sixth weightlifter overall (the first being Rodrigo del Rosario competing in 1948 London Olympics).[27] Competing in the women's 58-kg class, 17-year-old Diaz lifted 85-kg in the snatch and 107-kg in the clean and jerk for a 192-kg total, breaking the Philippine record that she herself set at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games.[28] Although she placed second to last in a field of 12 weightlifters, her performance was praised and considered promising for her age. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez once commented that she competed there to gain valuable experience and predicted that she would be a strong contender in future competitions.[29]

2012 Summer Olympics

Diaz became the first Filipina weightlifter to compete in two consecutive Olympics, by qualifying in the women's weightlifting under 58 kg through the Continental and World Qualifying Tournaments. She was ranked ninth in her event heading to the Olympics. During the 2012 London Olympics, Diaz was chosen to be the flagbearer during the Opening Ceremony.[30][31][32]

She was coached by Tony Agustin, and they projected a 225 kg lift, above her personal best of 219 kg.[33] She successfully lifted a personal best of 97 kg in the snatch, 12th best among the 19 competitors. However her 118 kg clean and jerk was unsuccessful after three attempts. She was one of two competitors (along with Lina Rivas of Colombia) to end with an official result of "Did not finish" (DNF) in the event.[34]

2015 to 2016 season

Diaz (second from left) with Cecil Atilano, Beng Climaco and Nestor Colonia being recognized by Zamboanga City Mayor Mayor Beng Climaco for their performance in the 2015 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Phuket, Thailand

Diaz weighed around 56.28 kg during her first Olympic campaign, making her the lightest among competitors. Come the 2012 Olympics, she had increased her weight to 57.70 kg but still struggled making it to the top half of the competition. Trying to improve her chances of landing a podium finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Diaz decided to drop weight from under 58 kg to under 53 kg. This proved to be effective as she won the gold medal in the 1st Southeast Asian Weightlifting Championship in Bangkok.[35] In that competition, she managed to lift a 98 kg snatch and a 115 kg clean and jerk for a 213 kg total. The same mark was also good for 4th place later on in the 2012 London Olympics.[citation needed]

In the Asian Weightlifting Championships, Diaz won both a gold medal in 2015 and a bronze medal in 2016.[14] She also earned three bronze medals for the clean, jerk and snatch events in the 53 kg division of the IWF World Weightlifting Championship held in Houston, Texas, on November 22, 2015, to claim a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics.[36][37][38]

In March 2016, Diaz dominated the women's 58 kg event of the 2015-16 Philippine National Games National Finals held at Lingayen Town Plaza, Lingayen, Pangasinan, with a 92 kg snatch and 120 kg clean and jerk (new personal best) combined into 212 kg.[39]

2016 Summer Olympics

In the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Diaz competed in her 3rd consecutive Olympics in the women's 53kg weightlifting category with the intention of at least winning a bronze medal.[40] Diaz surpassed her own personal target and won the silver medal at the event, after successfully clinching a lift of 88 kg in her second attempt in snatch event (placed 6th) and 111 kg and 112 kg in the first and second attempts in the clean and jerk event (placed 2nd).[41] This was the first medal for the Philippines in the Summer Olympics after 20 years. This was also the first non-boxing medal for the nation since 1936. Aside from being the first Filipina weightlifter to compete in three consecutive Olympics, she also became the first Filipino woman and the second person from Zamboanga and Mindanao to win an Olympic medal (after Simeon Toribio, bronze medal winner of men's high jump in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games).

On August 8, 2016, she returned to her hometown, Zamboanga City and was welcomed as a hero of the city.[42] From receiving numerous incentives from the Philippine president, Philippine Sports Commission and her local city,[43] she was able to buy land for her sibling and for her gym.[14]

2018 Asian Games

Diaz (third from left), with three other gold medalists (Loisa Kaye Go, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Yuka Saso) for the Philippines at the 2018 Asian Games.

Diaz participated in the women's 53 kg event in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.[44] Two months prior to the Asian Games, she recruited Gao Kaowen who was previously coach of the Chinese national women's army team.[45] In the women's 53 kg in the 2018 Asian Games, Diaz had a total lift of 207 kg, beating Turkmenistan's Kristina Shermetova (206 kg) and Thailand's Surodchana Khambao (201 kg) to deliver the Philippines' first gold in the 2018 games,[44][46] as well as being the first Filipino weightlifter of any gender to win a gold medal in the Asian Games.[citation needed]

2019–20 season

After winning a bronze in the 2017 World Championships, Diaz again won a bronze in the 2019 edition of the same event. She also won a silver in the 2019 Asian Championship, and another gold in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.[14] In January 2020, Diaz won the gold medal in the women's 55 kg event at the Roma 2020 World Cup in Rome, Italy.[47][48]

2020 Summer Olympics

On July 26, 2021, Diaz won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[49] This was the first ever gold medal won by a Filipino athlete since the country's first appearance in the Olympics in 1924.[50] She set new Olympic weightlifting records by lifting 127 kg in the clean and jerk and lifting a total weight of 224 kg.[13][51]

Diaz's achievements at the 2020 Summer Olympics were impressive, as she was previously stranded in Malaysia from February 2020 until July 2021, due to travel restrictions imposed by governments to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on guidance by her coach, Gao Kaiwen, Diaz initially went to train in Malaysia in February 2020 because Gao thought it would be better for her as she focused on qualifying for Tokyo. However, once Malaysia implemented its Movement Control Order in April 2020, which closed gyms within the capital region of Kuala Lumpur (Klang Valley), she improvised by using bamboo sticks and large water bottles as makeshift weightlifting equipment.[52][53] In October 2020, she relocated to the southern coastal state of Malacca where they had been living in a house owned by a Malaysian weightlifting official in Jasin.[54][55] The Malaysian government then implemented periodic restrictions on gyms and sporting activities within 2021 (to reduce social interaction and contain the spread of the coronavirus), forcing her to work out in the house's sweltering open-air carport in the immediate months prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics.[55][56][57][58][59]

Diaz also struggled with her mental health during this ordeal, especially with the postponement of the 2020 Olympics, and credited her team, including sports psychologist Dr. Karen Katrina Trinidad and Project: Steady with trauma therapist Gang Badoy Capati for her well-being. She also kept busy during her training overseas during COVID-19 lockdown by cooking, attending meetings, and studying.[21][60]

In recognition of winning the first gold medal for the Philippines at any Olympic Games, she was awarded PHP 35.5 million (approximately US$660,000) along with a house and a lot. The financial and asset awards, were jointly given by both the national government and tycoons from the private sector.[61] Under Philippine law, the Philippine Sports Commission guarantees a 10 million-peso incentive for every Olympic gold medal per Republic Act 10699.[62]

2022

On May 20, 2022, Diaz won her second gold medal win during the 31st Southeast Asian Games.[63] In December of that year, she won the gold medal in the women's 55 kg event at the World Weightlifting Championships held in Bogotá, Colombia.[64] In that same month, she was also elected as member of the IWF Athletes' Commission.[65]

2023

Diaz would move up to the -59 kg weight class after the -53 kg and -55 kg classes were not included in the weightlifting program for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[66][67]

She made her competitive debut in the 59 kg division at the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships in South Korea. She placed 4th by lifting a total of 221 kg.[68]

2024

Diaz failed to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris after failing to finish among the top ten in the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking and was beaten by fellow Filipino Elreen Ando in the 59 kg class following the conclusion of the IWF World Cup in Thailand.[69] In December 2024, Diaz has considered attempting to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Olympics.[70]

Major results

Year Venue Weight Snatch (kg) Clean & Jerk (kg) Total Rank
1 2 3 Rank 1 2 3 Rank
Olympic Games
2008 China Beijing, China 58 kg 80 85 90 11 102 102 107 11 192 11
2012 United Kingdom London, Great Britain 58 kg 92 97 97 13 118 118 118 — — —
2016 Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 53 kg 88 88 91 5 111 112 117 2 200 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2021 Japan Tokyo, Japan 55 kg 94 97 99 2 119 124 127
OR		 1 224
OR		 1st place, gold medalist(s)
World Championships
2011 France Paris, France 58 kg 92 95 95 9 119 121 123 7 214 7
2015 United States Houston, United States 53 kg 94 96 100 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 115 117 121 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 213 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2017 United States Anaheim, United States 53 kg 85 86 90 5 110 113 115 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 199 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2018 Turkmenistan Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 55 kg 88 91 93 6 110 115 115 13 203 9
2019 Thailand Pattaya, Thailand 55 kg 93 93 93 8 115 118 121 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 214 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2022 Colombia Bogotá, Colombia 55 kg 90 93 96 1st place, gold medalist(s) 114 117 121 1st place, gold medalist(s) 207 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2023 Saudi Arabia Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 59 kg 95 95 97 11 121 125 127 6 224 7
Asian Games
2006 Qatar Doha, Qatar 53 kg 67 70 72 11 82 88 90 10 162 10
2010 China Guangzhou, China 58 kg 90 94 97 6 111 115 115 8 209 6
2018 Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia 53 kg 88 90 92 2 110 115 117 1 207 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2023 China Hangzhou, China 59 kg 94 97 100 4 121 126 131 3 223 4
Asian Championships
2012 South Korea Pyeongtaek, South Korea 58 kg 90 95 98 4 118 122 122 4 217 4
2015 Thailand Phuket, Thailand 53 kg 93 93 96 1st place, gold medalist(s) 112 116 118 1st place, gold medalist(s) 214 1st place, gold medalist(s)
2016 Uzbekistan Tashkent, Uzbekistan 53 kg 90 90 95 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 112 115 118 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 208 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2019 China Ningbo, China 55 kg 90 94 96 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 110 115 119 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 209 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2021 Uzbekistan Tashkent, Uzbekistan 55 kg 90 90 94 4 118 121 122 4 212 4
2023 South Korea Jinju, South Korea 59 kg 93 97 99 4 118 122 125 5 221 4
IWF World Cup
2020 Italy Rome, Italy 55 kg 90 93 95 1st place, gold medalist(s) 113 119 122 1st place, gold medalist(s) 212 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
2017 Turkmenistan Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 53 kg 85 90 93 2 110 114 114 2 204 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Junior World Championships
2011 Malaysia Penang, Malaysia 58 kg 90 93 94 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 115 120 122 5 213 4
Asian Junior Championships
2009 United Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates 58 kg 85 85 88 1st place, gold medalist(s) 100 108 108 5 188 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
2010 Uzbekistan Tashkent, Uzbekistan 58 kg 83 83 84 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 102 107 111 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 195 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2011 Thailand Pattaya, Thailand 58 kg 90 93 95 1st place, gold medalist(s) 115 120 120 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 215 1st place, gold medalist(s)

Military career

Diaz in Philippine Air Force uniform with her Olympic silver medal in 2016.

Diaz was recruited into the Philippine Air Force (PAF) through the military arm's Direct Enlistment Program in 2013. She was initially assigned to the Air Force Special Service Group. She was also given an Air Force Specialty Code skill in recreation in weightlifting. In 2014, she was given a promotion from the rank of Airwoman to Airwoman Second Class. Diaz was also a recipient of a Military Merit Medal for organizing PAF events and a Presidential Citation Unit Badge. When Diaz was training for her stint at the 2016 Summer Olympics, she was assigned to PAF Personnel Management Center on a temporary basis. For her achievement at the Olympics, she was given a promotion by the PAF. The extent of the promotion was initially not disclosed[71] but it was later reported that Diaz was promoted to the rank of Airwoman First Class.[72] Diaz was consecutively promoted to the rank of Sergeant after the 2018 Asian Games.[73] On July 27, 2021, following Diaz's success in competing for the gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, the Philippine Air Force's commanding general, approved Diaz's promotion from Sergeant, to Staff Sergeant.[74]

Personal life

Diaz is a devout Catholic and credits her faith with inspiring her athletic achievements.[75] She wore a Miraculous Medal at the 2020 Olympic medaling ceremony, which she said is "a sign of our prayers and faith in Mama Mary and Jesus Christ."[76]

Diaz is married to Julius Naranjo, a former weightlifter who competed for Guam in international competitions[77] and a professional weightlifting coach, a strength and conditioning coach, and filmmaker at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.[78][79] Naranjo had become her coach[when?], and they were wed in Baguio, on July 26, 2022.[80][81][82][83]

Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy

In July 2024, Diaz inaugurated her Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy in Jalajala, including the academy's training programs and the HDWLA Outreach Program.[84] The 108-square meter single-storey training facility is built upon her 7,000-square meter lot in Sitio Manggahan, Barangay Second District. It is equipped with four platforms.[85]

Inclusion in alleged ouster plot matrix

In April 2019, Diaz was listed among those allegedly involved in an ouster plot against president Rodrigo Duterte,[86] as presented by Salvador Panelo who was Presidential Spokesperson at the time.[87][88] She initially found the allegation laughable, and numerous government officials came to her defense, saying the inclusion of her name and that of fellow athlete Gretchen Ho was ridiculous,[89][90] but Diaz eventually came to the realization that the inclusion of her name was a threat to her safety and that of her family.[87][88] Panelo later backtracked on the inclusion of Diaz and Ho's names, saying they were not part of the alleged conspiracy.[91]

Diaz's life leading to her silver medal win in the 2016 Summer Olympics was depicted in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, a drama anthology series, aired on September 24, 2016. She was portrayed by Jane Oineza.[92]

Awards and recognitions

Diaz on a 2021 stamp of the Philippines

On February 14, 2017, Diaz was awarded as the Athlete of the Year of the Philippine Sportswriters Association.[93] She is also the recipient of two honors from the Philippine House of Representatives; the Congressional Medals of Distinction (CMD) in 2016 and the Congressional Medal of Excellence (CME) in 2021.[94][95] The CME, intended for Filipino Olympic gold medalists, was instituted by the Congress' lower house after Diaz won the first ever gold medal for the country in the 2020 Summer Olympics.[95]

See also

References

  1. ^ Philippine Olympians Association (June 2019). "Childhope Sports Clinic Charges Ahead" (PDF). Arête Newsletter. No. 4. World Olympians Association. p. 2. Retrieved September 11, 2024. At our January 26 clinic, Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz OLY graced the event and spoke about the importance of pangarap at disiplina.
  2. ^ Opiniano, Jeremaiah (July 27, 2021). "I helped Hidilyn Diaz pull off record-setting golden Olympic lift". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "Athlete Biography: DIAZ Hidilyn". Beijing2008.cn. The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Archived from the original on August 10, 2008.
  4. ^ "Air Force Weightlifter Nabs Silver in Rio 2016, First Pinay Olympic Medalist in 20 Years". Philippine Air Force. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  5. ^ "SEA Games: Hidilyn Diaz panalo ng gold sa weightlifting". ABS-CBN News on YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  6. ^ "DIAZ, Hidilyn". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  7. ^ City commends Zamboangueño weightlifters Archived December 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Zamboanga.gov.ph (December 15, 2008). Retrieved on June 28, 2016.
  8. ^ Hidilyn Diaz. nbcolympics.com
  9. ^ Bracher, Jane (August 9, 2016). "Meet Alfonsito Aldanete, the weightlifting coach who helped Diaz win silver". Rappler. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  10. ^ "15 Filipinos battle odds, Olympic gold ‘curse’" Archived August 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Inquirer.net, August 9, 2008
  11. ^ "LOOK: Jane Oineza as Hidilyn Diaz on 'MMK'". Rappler. September 23, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  12. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz wins PH's first Olympic gold medal". GMA News Online. July 26, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Morales, Luisa (July 26, 2021). "Hidilyn Diaz finally captures elusive Olympic gold for Philippines".
  14. ^ a b c d "Best of the Decade: Hidilyn Diaz lifts a country to glory". December 20, 2019.
  15. ^ Pareño, Roel (August 9, 2016). "Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz: From homemade barbell to Rio silver". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  16. ^ a b Araullo, Atom (October 31, 2021). "Anatomy of Philippines' first Olympic gold medal". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Bracher, Jane (August 1, 2016). "Rio 2016: Hidilyn Diaz". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  18. ^ "Prayers, sacrifices, risks lift Hidilyn Diaz to Olympic history". cnn. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  19. ^ Saberon-Abalayan, Marianne (August 11, 2016). "Diaz to pursue college after Rio". Sun Star Davao. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  20. ^ Villanueva, Kristina (January 12, 2017). "Benilde gives Hidilyn big lift to chase dream". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  21. ^ a b Davila, Karen (July 29, 2021). "How Hidilyn fought mental breakdown while preparing for Olympics under COVID lockdown | ANC". ABS-CBN News.
  22. ^ Lara, Tanya (July 26, 2021). "First Filipino Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz: 'Hindi ako makapaniwala. Kakaiba si God'". The Philippine Star.
  23. ^ Mendoza, Mylene (March 20, 2021). "What It's Like to Train for the Olympics While Attending Online Classes, According to Hidilyn Diaz". Candy Magazine.
  24. ^ "'Mahirap pero super worth it': Hidilyn Diaz graduates from college". CNN Philippines. July 22, 2023. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  25. ^ Montejo, Mark Rey (October 10, 2024). "Hidilyn Diaz completes short course in Belgium". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  26. ^ Hidilyn Diaz lifts self to Olympic heights, Manila Standard Today
  27. ^ Love can wait for Hidilyn, Manila Standard Today (August 11, 2008)
  28. ^ Diaz falters; Walsh up next, Manila Standard Today
  29. ^ Diaz, Walsh start bid today, Manila Standard Today, August 11, 2008.
  30. ^ Bolante, Mikkel (July 30, 2012) Filipino flag-bearer Hidilyn Diaz begins Olympic weightlifting campaign Archived July 3, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Interaksyon
  31. ^ Hidilyn Diaz Archived March 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. sports-reference.com
  32. ^ Philippines Archived August 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. sports-reference.com
  33. ^ "Hidilyn tries to do better". manilastandardtoday.com. Manila Standard Today. July 30, 2012. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  34. ^ Olivares, Rick (July 21, 2016). "Could third Olympics be the charm for Hidilyn Diaz?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  35. ^ Terrado, Reuben (June 27, 2015). "Hidilyn Diaz makes up for SEA Games absence by bagging gold in 1st Southeast Asian Weightlifting Championship". Spin PH. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  36. ^ "Filipina Hidilyn Diaz wins 3 bronzes at World Weightlifting Championship". Rappler. November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  37. ^ "PH lifter Hidilyn Diaz books ticket to Rio Olympics". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 28, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  38. ^ "Continental Qualification current standing". International Weightlifting Federation. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  39. ^ "Teodosio nagtala ng juniors record sa Philippine National Games". Bandera (in Tagalog). March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  40. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz hoped for Olympic bronze, feels blessed by silver". Rappler. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  41. ^ Bracher, Jane (August 8, 2016). "Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz nabs silver, PH's first Olympic medal in 20 years". Rappler. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  42. ^ Diaz accorded a hero's welcome in Zamboanga City | ABS-CBN News. News.abs-cbn.com (August 12, 2016). Retrieved on September 2, 2016.
  43. ^ Hidilyn Diaz to receive P5-M, other benefits for winning silver in Rio Olympics | InterAksyon.com | Sports5 Archived August 12, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. InterAksyon.com (August 8, 2016). Retrieved on September 2, 2016.
  44. ^ a b "Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines' first gold medal in 2018 Asian Games".
  45. ^ "How Hidilyn Diaz made Olympic history as the Philippines' first gold medallist". Channel News Asia. July 27, 2021. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  46. ^ "CNN- Philippines". Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  47. ^ "2020 Roma World Cup" (PDF). Federazione Italiana Pesistica. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  48. ^ Flores-Colina, Celest (January 28, 2020). "Hidilyn Diaz wins 3 gold medals in Weightlifting World Cup". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  49. ^ "Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins first ever Olympic gold for Philippines". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021.
  50. ^ "Olympics latest: Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines' first-ever gold medal". Nikkei Asia.
  51. ^ "Women's 55 kg Results" (PDF). Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  52. ^ "Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal, breaking country's 97-year drought". www.cbsnews.com. July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  53. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz demonstrates why she is an Olympic gold medalist in this charming video". ph.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  54. ^ "Filipino star Diaz safe in Malaysian 'kampong' in her quest for gold". South China Morning Post. May 3, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  55. ^ a b "Berlatih belakang rumah di Jasin, Melaka, Hidilyn Diaz sumbang emas pertama Olimpik untuk Filipina". Utusan Digital (in Malay). Agence France-Presse. July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  56. ^ "Sacrifice, exile: how Filipina Hidilyn Diaz made Olympic history". sg.news.yahoo.com. Agence France-Presse. July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.[permanent dead link‍]
  57. ^ "Far from home: Weightlifter's quest for first Philippines Olympic gold". The Star. Agence France-Presse. May 28, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  58. ^ "Filipino weightlifter trains for Olympics in Malaysian kampung". Free Malaysia Today. Agence France-Presse. May 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  59. ^ "How Hidilyn Diaz made Olympic history as the Philippines' first gold medallist". CNA. Agence France-Presse. July 27, 2021. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  60. ^ Layug, Margaret Claire (July 29, 2021). "Hidilyn Diaz opens up about 'mental breakdown' ahead of Tokyo Olympics". GMA News Online.
  61. ^ "Epic prize for an epic feat: P35.5M, house and lot await Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz". www.philstar.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  62. ^ "Philippines' First-Ever Gold Medalist Wins $660,000 and a House". bloombergquint.com. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  63. ^ Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (May 20, 2022). "'Our golden girl!': Hidilyn Diaz brings pride after bagging SEA Games gold". Interaksyon. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  64. ^ Oliver, Brian (December 7, 2022). "China's Li Fabin saves best till last in weightlifting World Championships thriller". InsideTheGames.biz. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  65. ^ Oliver, Brian (December 21, 2022). "Three Olympic weightlifting champions and 700,000 Instagram followers - the new IWF Athletes Commission". InsideTheGames.biz. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  66. ^ Ramos, Josef (February 14, 2023). "Hidilyn immerses into heavier 59-kg weight division | Josef Ramos". BusinessMirror. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  67. ^ Demigillo, Kiko (December 15, 2023). "Hidilyn Diaz reflects on shift to new weight class as road to 2024 Paris Olympics continues". One Sports. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  68. ^ Valderrama, Aeron Paul (May 7, 2023). "AWC: Hidilyn Diaz places fourth in minus-59 debut". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  69. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz to keep lifting as Paris Olympics dream ends". GMA News. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  70. ^ Navarro, June (December 3, 2024). "Palarong Pambansa awakens Diaz-Naranjo's desire for 2028 Olympics stint". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  71. ^ Santos, Rudy; Sy, Marvin; Mendez, Christina (August 10, 2016). "Olympian Hidilyn to be promoted in PAF". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  72. ^ "Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz receives Airforce rank promotion". GMA News. August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  73. ^ Mangosing, Frances (August 29, 2018). "Asian Games champ Hidilyn Diaz gets promoted to Sergeant in Air Force". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  74. ^ "After historic win, military promotes Hidilyn Diaz to staff sergeant". Rappler. July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  75. ^ "After winning the Philippines' first Olympic gold, Hidilyn Diaz thanked God and raised up her Miraculous Medal". America Magazine. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  76. ^ "Gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz inspires the Philippines with her victory and Catholic devotion". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  77. ^ Tomas, Jojo Santo (September 18, 2017). "Meet Guam's Team for the Asian Indoor Games: Weightlifting". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  78. ^ GRANA, RHIA. "An Olympic romance: The love story of Hidilyn Diaz and her coach Julius Naranjo". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  79. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz, boyfriend Julius Naranjo now engaged". ABS-CBN News. October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  80. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz marries boyfriend coach on anniversary of Olympic win". ABS-CBN News. July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  81. ^ Isaga, JR (July 26, 2022). "LOOK: #TheWeightIsOver as Hidilyn Diaz weds coach Julius Naranjo". Rappler. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  82. ^ Tunac, Hermes Joy (July 26, 2022). "Hidilyn Diaz and Julius Naranjo are married!". GMA News. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  83. ^ "#TheWeightIsOver: Hidilyn Diaz, Julius Naranjo get married on Olympic gold anniv". CNN Philippines. July 26, 2022. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  84. ^ Navarro, June (July 27, 2024). "On anniversary of Olympic gold, Hidilyn Diaz inaugurates weightlifting academy". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  85. ^ "Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo proves she is more than an inspirational figure as she breaks ground on 'factory' of champs". Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 7, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  86. ^ Mariano, Paolo (July 27, 2021). "SHINY VINDICATION | Diaz's historic gold medal should shut up haters once and for all". news.tv5.com.ph. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  87. ^ a b "Olympian Hidilyn Diaz fears for life after inclusion in oust-Duterte matrix". cnn. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  88. ^ a b "Hidilyn Diaz fears for life over Duterte foe list". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  89. ^ "Lacson mocks inclusion of Diaz, Ho in oust-Duterte matrix". GMA News Online. May 9, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  90. ^ "Sotto considers oust-Duterte matrix with names of Ho, Diaz as 'asar list'". GMA News Online. May 9, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  91. ^ "Panelo says Gretchen Ho, Hidilyn Diaz not part of 'conspiracy' vs Duterte". Rappler. May 10, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  92. ^ "Olympic heroine Hidilyn Diaz's life story featured on TV drama 'Maalaala Mo Kaya'". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. September 22, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  93. ^ "Rio Olympic feat gives Hidilyn PSA top award". The Philippine Star. January 20, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  94. ^ "LOOK: Hidilyn Diaz receives Congressional medal, monetary award". Rappler. August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  95. ^ a b "House adopts reso conferring Congressional Medal of Excellence to Hidilyn Diaz". Manila Bulletin. August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hidilyn Diaz.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Hidilyn Diaz.
Olympic Games
Preceded by Flagbearer for  Philippines
London 2012 		Succeeded by