MANILA, Philippines – Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz proved she also has a heart of gold.
A Facebook post by Brodenfsc Magbanua showed photos of Diaz teaching weightlifting to Aeta kids in PeaceKamp in Sapang Upak in Porac, Pampanga. Along with other talented students of the College of St. Benilde, Diaz volunteered to teach her sport to the less fortunate.
The 30-year Olympic gold medalist showed the Aeta kids how to lift weights using bamboo cut from the surrounding area.
“She does not only have an Olympic Gold — she also has a heart of gold for those who have less in life,” Magbanua wrote.
Diaz made history and set an Olympic record after beating world record holder Liao Qiuyun of China in the women’s 55kg- class in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She won after setting an Olympic standard of 127kg in the clean and jerk for a total lift of 224kg.
In her interview with One Sports' Gretchen Ho, Diaz said: “Di ako makapaniwala... Nasurpresa ako na nagawa ko yun. Kakaiba si God at lahat ng prayer warriors ko diyan sa Pilipinas, thank you so much.”
Prior to becoming a weightlifting superstar, Diaz experienced selling fish and vegetables with her father who worked as a tricycle driver. However, Diaz took interest in sports even at a young age and tried volleyball and basketball. Eventually, she was introduced by cousin Allen Jayfrus Diaz into weightlifting. Diaz used homemade barbells with plastic pipes and tin cans with concrete weights.
The Zamboanga native was only 14 years old and was the youngest delegate during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In 2012, Diaz recorded a “did not finish” result during the 2012 London Olympic Games.
During the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Diaz finally ended the country’s Olympic medal drought after bringing home the silver medal in the women’s 53kg event.
— Mini, The Summit Express
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Brodenfsc Magbanua |
A Facebook post by Brodenfsc Magbanua showed photos of Diaz teaching weightlifting to Aeta kids in PeaceKamp in Sapang Upak in Porac, Pampanga. Along with other talented students of the College of St. Benilde, Diaz volunteered to teach her sport to the less fortunate.
The 30-year Olympic gold medalist showed the Aeta kids how to lift weights using bamboo cut from the surrounding area.
“She does not only have an Olympic Gold — she also has a heart of gold for those who have less in life,” Magbanua wrote.
Posted by Hidilyn Diaz on Monday, July 26, 2021
Diaz made history and set an Olympic record after beating world record holder Liao Qiuyun of China in the women’s 55kg- class in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She won after setting an Olympic standard of 127kg in the clean and jerk for a total lift of 224kg.
In her interview with One Sports' Gretchen Ho, Diaz said: “Di ako makapaniwala... Nasurpresa ako na nagawa ko yun. Kakaiba si God at lahat ng prayer warriors ko diyan sa Pilipinas, thank you so much.”
Prior to becoming a weightlifting superstar, Diaz experienced selling fish and vegetables with her father who worked as a tricycle driver. However, Diaz took interest in sports even at a young age and tried volleyball and basketball. Eventually, she was introduced by cousin Allen Jayfrus Diaz into weightlifting. Diaz used homemade barbells with plastic pipes and tin cans with concrete weights.
The Zamboanga native was only 14 years old and was the youngest delegate during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In 2012, Diaz recorded a “did not finish” result during the 2012 London Olympic Games.
During the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Diaz finally ended the country’s Olympic medal drought after bringing home the silver medal in the women’s 53kg event.
— Mini, The Summit Express
