Diaz wins first ever Olympic gold for Philippines

VINCENZO PINTO / AFP

Philippines' Hidilyn Diaz became her country's first-ever Olympic gold medallist on Monday, winning the women's 55 kg category for weightlifting at Tokyo 2020.

In her fourth Olympics, the 30-year-old lifted a combined weight of 224 kg, an Olympic record.

After completing her final lift in a very close competition, Diaz held her hands to her face and burst into tears before embracing her coaches and clutching at the medallion around her neck.

On the podium, a still-tearful Diaz stood to attention saluting as she belted out her country's national anthem at the top of her voice.

China's Liao Qiuyun, who failed to match her own world record, took silver with 223 kg, while Kazakhstan's Zulfiya Chinshanlo won bronze with 213 kg.

Chinshanlo was a gold medallist at the 2012 London Games but in 2016 she was stripped of a medal after failing doping tests in a re-analysis of samples.

More from Sports News

On Virgin Radio today

Trending on Virgin Radio

  • See Taylor Swift in London

    See The Eras Tour movie at Roxy Cinemas AND see it in person at Wembley Stadium! Just listen to Virgin Radio (Taylor's Version)

  • Untold Festival

    The biggest performances, interviews and a behind the scenes look before Untold comes to Dubai in February 2024.

  • Ed Sheeran - UAE EXCLUSIVE

    Latest album, what happened with BTS, raising a baby girl, eye surgery, and more!

  • Middle East Hot 30

    Every weekend Kris Fade plays the biggest tracks in the Middle East. Check out this weeks chart...