This is certainly not a running-related event but this victory is very inspirational and it sure was an achievement that will forever be written in the Asian Games history especially since the Philippines have never won a gold medal in the weightlifting event and most remarkably in the women’s category.
Hidilyn Diaz, 27 years old, won the Gold Medal and will have a hero’s welcome to be given by her family and the Philippine Air Force since she is an Airwoman First Class.
Her total expected cash incentives will be worth six million pesos which will be coming from different sources, namely:
- 2 Million Pesos – Philippine Sports Commission based on the Republic Act 10699 (National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act);
- 2 Million Pesos – Philippine Olympic Committee;
- 1 Million Pesos – Siklab Pilipinas Sports Foundation, Inc. (the first private organization whose aim is to support the country in achieving a first Olympic gold medal);
- 1 Million Pesos – pledge from Lee Hiong Wee, current Philippine ambassador to Indonesia.
Her success is truly an inspiration for all athletes regardless of the sports event.
Credits of the video are given to Sports5 with a website at https://tv5.espn.com
Weightlifting is not a common sport that is usually given attention by so many Filipinos who are all attuned to boxing, basketball, football, swimming, cycling, and running when it comes to international competitions such as Asian Games.
The officially known 18th Asian Games or the 2018 Asian Games and also termed as Jakarta-Palembang 2018 already started last 18 August 2018 and will end on 2 September 2018.
The total number of events included in this international event was 431 with 2 demonstration sports events namely, eSports and Canoe Polo.
It was also the first time that the Asian Games was co-hosted by two cities which is Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, and the city of Palembang which is the capital of the South Sumatra province hence, the alternative name of Jakarta-Palembang 2018 for the 2018 Asian Games.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Asian_Games
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/othersports/665191/hero-s-welcome-awaits-asian-games-gold-medalist-hidilyn-diaz/story/
http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/22/18/asian-games-what-will-gold-winner-hidilyn-diaz-do-with-p6-m-prize-money
http://sports.inquirer.net/286879/siklab-atleta-looks-helps-make-olympic-gold-dream-reality