WEIGHTLIFTING star Hidilyn Diaz yesterday received a P3 million check from Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero as her incentive for winning the country’s first Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo Games.
Romero personally handed the check to Diaz eight days since the proud daughter of Zamboanga City arrived from Tokyo where she enshrined her name in the pantheon of greats, becoming the first Filipino athlete to win the precious gold.
“I personally delivered the promise I made last month because the joy and pride Hidilyn gave to our country was immeasurable. This will open the way for other athletes to work harder to realize their dreams,” Romero said during the simple handover at the Sofitel Hotel where Diaz and other members of her team are staying for a seven-day quarantine.
“We are really proud of you, Hidilyn. You embody the traits of a great warrior. Hoping every Olympics, may gold medal tayo.”
In reply, Diaz said: “Naniniwala akosa kakayahan ng atletang FPlipino. Kaya yan!”
“I can still feel the magnitude of her victory,” said Romero, who was accompanied by AirAsia executive Eric Arejola.
In ending the country’s 97 long years of agony and misfortunes last July 26, Diaz reduced her touted Chinese rival to tears as she won the 55kg gold in record fashion, lifting an Olympic record 127kg in the clean and jerk for a 22kg total, another record.
“That made her victory sweeter and memorable because it was an Olympic record,” added Romero.
A silver medal winner in Rio in 2016, Diaz thanked Romero for being a genuine sports patron, saying his generosity will greatly help Filipino athletes in so many ways in their desire to be heroes and heroines someday.
Romero had pledged to give financial rewards to members of the national team who win medals in Tokyo — P3 million for a gold, P2 M for silver and P1M for bronze.
