WATCH: Emotional moments as two countries win their first gold medals EVER
History was created at the Tokyo Olympics when Hidilyn Diaz became the first-ever gold medallist from the Philippines and just a few hours later it was Bermuda’s turn in the women’s triathlon.
Diaz won the 55kg category weightlifting title. Her monster total lifts in the clean and jerk were 224kg. When she gets the bar over her head the realization about what she’s just done dawns on her.
As well as having more than 120kg above her she had the weight of a nation to contend with.
The Philippines had competed at every Summer Olympics since 1924 but had never reached the top step of the dias. That was until now.
Diaz becoming an instant hero. She was already a well-known name – having won silver in 2016 which was the country’s first medal in 20 years.
Her reaction said it all.
Hidilyn Diaz reacts after placing first in the women's 55kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on Monday.
????: AFP/Vincenzo Pinto pic.twitter.com/M9TsIn6EZW
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) July 26, 2021
While the Philippines has 108 million people, it was perhaps even more impressive when Bermuda with the size of Wagga Wagga (60,000 people) claimed their first-ever gold in the women’s triathlon.
Flora Duffy crossed the line first and had time to celebrate her win with no competitors around her. It was a tricky race with hail and rain making for treacherous conditions, especially on the bike leg with sharp hairpin turns.
The 33-year-old won from Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) and Katie Zafares (USA).
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In her fourth Olympic Games, Flora Duffy finally wins GOLD in the Women's Triathlon, posting a time of 1:55:36.
It is the first gold medal for Bermuda in the history of the Summer Olympic Games.#Tokyo2020 #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/wuNWo1G4pt
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) July 26, 2021