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Olympics: Hidilyn breaks through, but PH eyes more gold in Tokyo

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/afp/07/26/20210726-hidilyn.jpg"/><figcaption>Gold medallist Philippines&#x27; Hidilyn Diaz stand on the podium for the victory ceremony of the women&#x27;s 55kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on July 26, 2021. <em>Vincenzo Pinto, AFP</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>It took a few lifetimes to get here, but the Philippines did it. Finally. </p><p>July 26, 2021, marked a new chapter in national sports history, thanks to a tour de force weightlifting performance by Hidilyn Diaz, who won the Philippines&#x27; breakthrough Olympic gold medal in Tokyo. </p><p>The best the Philippines had achieved in its nearly 100-year participation entering the Japan Olympics were 3 silver medal finishes — Anthony Villanueva in boxing in Tokyo 1964, Mansueto Velasco in Atlanta 1996, and Diaz in Rio 2016. </p><p>There had been doubts the Philippines would get to this point. </p><p>Prior to Diaz&#x27;s silver finish in the Brazil Olympics, the country had endured a medal-less drought between Sydney 2000 and London 2012. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/26/21/gold-at-last-hidilyn-writes-ph-sports-history-as-olympic-champ">Gold at last! Hidilyn writes PH sports history as Olympic champ</a></li></ul><p>In many people&#x27;s eyes, Velasco nearly broke through with a gold in Atlanta, as he looked brilliant against Bulgaria&#x27;s Daniel Petrov in the final of the light-flyweight division. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/27/21/weightlifting-fairy-philippines-showers-hidilyn-with-well-deserved-love">‘Weightlifting fairy’: Philippines showers Hidilyn with well-deserved love</a></li></ul><p>But Velasco lost convincingly, 19-6, a result many Filipinos described as a robbery. </p><p>Between Villanueva&#x27;s silver and Velasco&#x27;s, boxers Leopoldo Serantes (Seoul 1988) and Roel Velasco (Barcelona 1992) won bronze medals. </p><p>Prior to Villanueva, the Philippines took home bronze, courtesy of swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso (Amsterdam 1928 and Los Angeles 1932); boxer Jose Luis Villanueva (Los Angeles 1932); high-jumper Simeon Toribio (Los Angeles 1932); and hurdler Miguel White (Berlin 1936). </p><p>With Diaz making history — in record-breaking fashion, nonetheless — this could be just the first of a few medals the Philippines can win realistically in Tokyo. </p><p>Nesthy Petecio has shown she can be a giant-slayer in women&#x27;s featherweight boxing.</p><p>Yuka Saso, the reigning US Women&#x27;s Open champion, and dark horse Bianca Pagdanganan could be a make noise in golf, which begins on August 5. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/26/21/long-bumpy-road-to-milestone-olympic-gold-worth-it-for-hidilyn-diaz">Long, bumpy road to milestone Olympic gold &#x27;worth it&#x27; for Hidilyn Diaz</a></li></ul><p>Pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnast Carlos Yulo have the potential, too, to top their respective events. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/26/21/tokyo-olympics-hidilyn-diaz-mother-philippines-gold">‘Sobrang saya’: Hidilyn’s mom on cloud nine after daughter wins Olympic gold</a></li></ul><p>After Diaz&#x27;s victory, the proverbial monkey is off Philippine sports&#x27; back, and the pressure on any athlete to win gold has been taken away. </p><p>That could be key for the rest of Team Philippines competing in Japan to open a medal floodgate.</p><div><em>For breaking news and latest developments on the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, visit <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/tokyo-olympics" target="_blank">https://news.abs-cbn.com/tokyo-olympics</a> </em></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1735199" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>It's time to celebrate Diaz's history-making victory, but more Filipinos are primed to follow in her footsteps all the way to the podium in these Olympics. </p>

It's time to celebrate Diaz's history-making victory, but more Filipinos are primed to follow in her footsteps all the way to the podium in these Olympics.