Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz wins silver medal in Rio Olympics

Filipina Hidilyn Diaz, 25, gave the Philippines its first silver medal in 20 years after finishing second in the women’s 53-kg weightlifting competition at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on August 7, 2016. She won for the country its first Olympic medal in 20 years since Mansueto Velasco won a silver medal in boxing in 1996. Diaz also competed at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics.

Hidilyn will receive P5-M reward plus free state college education and a generous retirement package from the Philippine Government under Republic Act 10699 signed by former President Benigno Aquino on November 13, 2015. Boxing icon and new Senator Manny Pacquiao also announced that he will personally give a hefty cash award to the silver medalist.