WE are all winners in the victory of Hidilyn Diaz in the Tokyo Olympics.
Every nation oozing with solidarity and united with mankind’s endless quest for greatness, every global triumph such as Hidilyn Diaz’s is a testament to humanity’s hopes of surreal survival that comes from sweet success.
Our first Olympian was runner David Nepomuceno of Albay, who was our lone, winless, entry in the 1924 Paris Olympics.
The country would win 10 medals after Paris. No gold. The best from that puny haul were three silver medals.
But who remembers second placers?
This time, we do. Because our last runner-up happened to be Hidilyn Diaz, who gallantly won the weightlifting silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil to end a 20-year medal drought.
That silver finish all the more fueled Hidilyn Diaz’s undying dream of an Olympic gold.
With her spectacular triumph, Hidilyn Diaz’s name will be in the lips of every Filipino from hereon.
So give way, Manny Pacquiao. You’ve had your time. Be a gentleman, please? Clear the way for Hidilyn Diaz. Better yet, spread the red carpet yourself.
Before Pacquiao, there was Flash Elorde.
Before Hidilyn Diaz, there was nothing.
After a 97-year wait, here comes Hidilyn Diaz—the strongest, the bravest, the no-surrender.
She’s even a certified BTS fan now: Believe. Trust. Surrender.
She believed in herself. As a shy 17-year-old, she didn’t quit after she finished a dismal second-to-last in her Olympic debut in the 2008 Beijing Games.
She trusted her skills and instinct. In her next Olympics in London 2012, she plodded on despite being derisively labeled “DNF” for “Did Not Finish.”
She continued surrendering her fate—faith—to God. And when she won silver in her third Olympics in Rio 2016, she knew sweet success was just a breadth away.
It happened on Monday, July 26.
Down by two kilos off her highly-favored Chinese rival, the reigning Olympic and World champion Liao Quiyun, Hidilyn decided to go for 127 kg in a beat-or-bust dead end.
When she made it, lifting her division’s heaviest load to beat Liao by a 224-223 squeaker, Hidilyn burst out her suppressed emotions, stepping backwards in subdued euphoria, her hands clasped tightly as in prayerful mode.
That tearful, gripping scene sent the nation crying in joy with her.
Who said success can come overnight, is a product of short cut? Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo needed eight years to become an NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks this year.
Hidilyn Diaz took a longer journey: 13 years.
At 30, she is the oldest of the 19 Filipinos in Tokyo 2020. By far, she is presently the best of the lot.
Thus, with her spectacular win comes the pride, honor and glory of the Filipino people.
Let her rest for now. She should be done fighting. She’s finished the race. Hail the champ. A grateful nation couldn’t be prouder.
THAT’S IT Our female judoka was ousted yesterday, bringing to four the number of Filipinos getting the boot in the Olympics. The other three losers came in rowing, taekwondo and skateboarding. We are still alive in gymnastics, golf, pole vault, swimming and, yes, boxing. Let’s keep on praying we’d win some more. Without a doubt, prayers helped power Hidilyn Diaz’s victory. She is a devotee of the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, which Hidilyn definitely deems as her first, forever, medal ahead of the Olympic gold medal…From Sen. Bong Go, the Senate’s sports committee chair: “Mabuhay ka, Hidilyn, at sa lahat ng mga atletang Pilipino!”