Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz wins silver for Philippines in Rio

Philippines Wins Silver in Rio: Hidilyn Diaz, Philippines wins silver
epa05462511 Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines competes during the women’s 53kg category of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Weightlifting events at the Riocentro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 07 August 2016. EPA/NIC BOTHMA

The Philippines has won its first Olympic medal in 20 years after Mindanao’s Hidilyn Diaz finished the women’s weightlifting category by powerlifting 200kg on Monday.

The silver medal is the Philippines’ first since the 1996 Atlanta games when Onyok Velasco won the silver medal for lightweight boxing.

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In the clean and jerk position, Diaz managed to clear 111kg on her first attempt – her second attempt took her to 112kg elevating her from bronze to silver.

Diaz, a native of Zamboanga City, is the first female athlete to win an Olympic medal for the Philippines.