Hidilyn Diaz's Weightlifting Silver Ends Philippines' Olympic Medal Drought

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The Philippines is celebrating the silver medal won by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz at the Rio Olympics — a happy break to the Southeast Asian nation's 20-year medal drought.

Diaz won the women's 53kg weightlifting competition on Sunday.

President Rodrigo Duterte sent his congratulations to Diaz, an Air Force soldier, saying she brought honor to the country. Vice President Leni Robredo says Diaz serves as an inspiration to every Filipino and a reminder that no challenge is too heavy for a Filipino woman to overcome.

The three-time Olympian's medal is the Philippines' first since boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco won silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
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