Reclaiming Fitspo: Hidilyn Diaz
Hidilyn Diaz is a Filipino weightlifter.
#5 out of 6 children, Diaz was quite young when she was first taught how to weightlift by a cousin. She attended the Universidad de Zamboanga where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in computer science, but dropped out in her third year because she thought it interfered with her training.
Diaz was a wild card entry by the Philippine Weightlifting Association for the 2008 Olympics. There, she was the first female weightlifter to compete for the Philippines. The 17 year old lifted 85-kg in the snatch and 107-kg in the clean and jerk for a 192-kg total, breaking the Philippine record that she herself set at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. Diaz went on to be her country’s flag bearer at the 2012 Olympics, and just finished competing in the 2016 Rio games.
Altogether, Diaz has earned one Olympic Silver medal, three Bronzes from international championships, two Silvers at the Southeast Asian Games, and one Gold from the Asian Championships.
Diaz is also a member of the Philippine Air Force. She was recently promoted to Airwoman 1st Class and honored by the Senate for her noteworthy Olympic performance.
Currently, Diaz plans to return to college in order to pursue a sports-related degree.
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