Cover Photo By Samuel Noel
Cover Photo By Samuel Noel.

31st SEA Games: Hidilyn Diaz defends her title, nabs gold anew in 55kg event


Benildean and Olympic medalist Hidilyn Diaz defended her title in the 55 kg and secured the 42nd gold medal for the Philippines.


By Rdee De La Paz | Saturday, 21 May 2022

Olympian and Benilde Business Management (BSBA-BM) student Hidilyn Diaz once again proved her supremacy as she ruled the women’s 55kg Weightlifting event on Friday, May 20, in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. 

 

Diaz lifted a total of 206kg after garnering 92kg in a snatch and 114 kg in clean and jerk, dominating the women’s 55kg event. The Benildean edged out fellow Olympic medalist Sanikun Tanasan of Thailand, who lifted a total of 203kg. Natasya Beteyob of Indonesia came in third place after lifting a total of 188kg. 

 

In the snatch event, Diaz and Tanasan went head-to-head after the Thai weightlifter successfully lifted 93kg and held a one-kilogram lead as Diaz failed to lift the 94kg in her last attempt.

 

Meanwhile, in the clean and jerk event, the Filipina Olympian was able to lift 114kg in her first attempt, beating Tanasan who successfully lifted 110kg. Diaz attempted a record-setting 118kg at 121kg in her final attempt but was unable to do so. 

 

In the 2019 SEA Games held in Manila, Diaz ruled the same event claiming her first gold in the regional competition before earning the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

 

Diaz is the first FIlipino to bring home gold to the Philippines in the Olympics.