The College of Saint Benilde paid tribute to one of its student-athletes, Hidilyn Diaz, after the Filipina weightlifter delivered the country's first ever gold medal in the Olympics.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) school congratulated Diaz for winning the top honor in the women's 55 kg division of the weightlifting event at this year's Summer Games.
"Hidilyn has lifted the Filipino Pride and Spirit with this historic feat! We are one with the whole nation in celebrating Hidilyn’s outstanding triumph and we are very proud of her hard work and extraordinary commitment as a Blazer, and a Filipino Athlete," the post read.
"May Hidilyn's victory bring hope and inspiration to Filipinos all around the world. Let us continue to support our Filipino athletes as they blaze ahead in the Olympics. Animo Benilde! Mabuhay ang Atletang Pilipino!"
Diaz, who now holds the record of lifting 127 kg in her last clean and jerk attempt, received a scholarship at CSB where she pursued a degree in Business Management in 2017.
However, she was forced to file for a leave of absence in 2018 as she would shift her focus on her Tokyo Olympics buildup. She enrolled again last year following the postponement of the quadrennial conclave.
—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News
