Hidilyn Diaz: From accusations of anti-government plot to historic Olympic gold

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UPDATED: Dec 17, 2022, 5:19:38 AM

The room was quiet as she approached the weightlifting platform for her final lift in the women's 55kg category. China's Liao Qiuyun was in the lead after successfully raising 126kg. Diaz looked confident. Focused. She spoke the personal mantra that had carried her through the competition so far: "Chest out. Deadlift. One motion." She had one final shot at making history for her country with the Philippines' first Olympic gold. Seconds later, with 127kg of metal raised perilously above her head, emotion rushed across her face as the buzzer sounded to confirm a clean lift. Aged 30, she had achieved the victory she had dreamed of for so long.

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