The first-ever Olympic gold medalist from the Philippines has been gifted $660,000 and a house from the government for her incredible achievement.
According to The Mirror, Filippino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz managed to win a gold medal in the women's 55kg class - which is the first time an athlete from the South-East Asian nation has ever won such an accolade - ending the Philippines' 97-year gold drought.
Diaz lifted a record 127kg clean and jerk to claim her victory.
Footage of her victory currently circulating on social media shows the 30-year-old Air Force servicewoman breaking down in tears after beating China's world record holder Liao Qiuyun.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that the $660,000 prize money will be given to her by the Duterte administration and local businesses as a special reward. The publication adds that the reward is available to any Filipino athlete who can win a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
Bloomberg adds that as well as the prize money, Diaz will receive a house in Tagaytay - courtesy of Philippine Olympic president Abraham Tolentino.
Chinese Filipino billionaire Andrew Lim Tan has also reportedly offered Diaz a $280,000 condo in Eastwood City.
Per ESPN, Diaz commented on her win in a later interview with reporters during an online press conference on Tuesday, stating: "I've been trying (to lift 127 kg), but I've never done it. Every time I try it, I couldn't do it, and I cry, I get frustrated.
"I actually didn't expect that I would get to lift it. I believe that was just God and all the people who were praying for me [...] I still couldn't believe I did it. I was surprised that I did it. I was very nervous, but I kept telling myself: 'I believe.'"
She added that she wanted to inspire the rest of her country, saying: "I want to say this to all Filipinos: nothing is impossible."
"I know we're going through so much because of the pandemic, but look at what happened here. We did it despite the pandemic. I survived, Team HD survived, the Philippine team survived. Nothing is impossible."
