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POC chief declares 2021 'golden year' of PH sports

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt=" Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines holds her gold medal. Edgard Garrido, Reuters" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/07/28/diaz-gold.jpg"/><figcaption>Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines holds her gold medal. Edgard Garrido, Reuters</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- The president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) hailed 2021 as the &quot;golden year&quot; of Philippine sports, highlighted by the country&#x27;s historic breakthrough in the Olympic Games.&quot;This is a year of congratulations for all of us, for breaking several milestones in our sports,&quot; POC President Rep. Abraham &quot;Bambol&quot; Tolentino said in a statement.&quot;The perfect description for this year is the &#x27;Golden Year&#x27; of Philippine sports.&quot;Tolentino was present inside the Tokyo International Forum on July 26, when Hidilyn Diaz -- appearing in her fourth straight Olympics -- secured the Philippines&#x27; first ever Olympic gold medal when she ruled the women&#x27;s 55kg division in weightlifting.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/multimedia/infographic/12/24/21/philippine-sports-top-newsmakers">READ: Philippine sports’ top newsmakers</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/09/21/phs-2021-on-twitter-hidilyn-diaz-makes-history-as-most-engaged-tweet">READ: Hidilyn Diaz makes history as &#x27;most engaged&#x27; tweet</a></li></ul>After tallying 97kg in the snatch, Diaz lifted an Olympic record 127kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 224kg -- also an Olympic record.&quot;The year 2021 saw us attain multiple medals highlighted by that elusive gold in the Tokyo Olympics,&quot; said Tolentino. &quot;The COVID-19 pandemic may have slowed us down, but the ever resilient Filipinos have again proven that we rise against the odds.&quot;Three more medals came from boxing -- silvers from men&#x27;s flyweight Carlo Paalam and women&#x27;s featherweight Nesthy Petecio, and a bronze from men&#x27;s middleweight Eumir Marcial.The delayed Tokyo Olympics emerged as the best ever for the Philippines, since the country first attended the 1924 Games in Paris.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/09/21/in-tokyo-olympics-pinoy-athletes-live-up-to-hype">READ: In Tokyo Olympics, Pinoy athletes live up to hype</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/26/21/long-bumpy-road-to-milestone-olympic-gold-worth-it-for-hidilyn-diaz">READ: Long, bumpy road to milestone Olympic gold &#x27;worth it&#x27; for Hidilyn Diaz</a></li></ul>Diaz led a 19-strong delegation, and even athletes who missed the podium displayed their potential to vie for a medal in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.&quot;Although the rest of Team Philippines didn&#x27;t win a medal in Tokyo, their determination and their youth make them strong candidates when we return to the Olympic stage in Paris.&quot; Tolentino said.&quot;Remember, Hidilyn was a young, unassuming, and innocent 18-year-old when she competed in her first Olympics in 2008 in Beijing,&quot; he added.Tolentino is confident that the country&#x27;s campaign in Tokyo will be the springboard for future success in the Olympics.&quot;Yes, the Filipino athlete can win in the Olympics. Yes, we have the capability and we will build on that success,&quot; he declared.The Philippines now have a total of one gold, five silver, and eight bronze medals from the Olympics.&quot;This year is marked by a spirit of happiness for the blessings we have received,&quot; said Tolentino.&quot;We share these blessings to all athletes and coaches, to all the NSAs [national sports associations] that have contributed and supported their athletes to the best of their abilities and resources.&quot;

The president of the POC hailed 2021 as the 'golden year' of Philippine sports, highlighted by the country's breakthrough in the Olympic Games.