Hidilyn Diaz on cash rewards and incentives following Olympics win: 'I did this for the gold medal'

The Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is finally home!

The 30-year-old weightlifter from Zamboanga, who ruled the women's 55k kg weightlifting event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, proudly showed everyone her gold medal during an interview with GMA News' "Unang Balita" on Thursday.

Although she is thankful for massive cash rewards and incentives coming her way, Diaz said her one true dream was winning the gold medal.

"Syempre, nagpapasalamat po ako. Syempre, lahat naman tayo kailangan ng pinansyal na tulong. Syempre, gusto ko rin pasalamat, pero ginawa ko kasi ito ... nanalo ng gold, kasi isa 'to sa mga dream na binigay ni God sa akin, sa puso ko," she said.

Diaz stressed that there are many Filipino athletes sharing the same dream, and urged sponsors to show more support for "potential gold medalists" before they join the games.

"Dream din [ito] ng bawat team, ng team HD, at ng mga sponsors na mga tumulong sa'min before the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, nu'ng 2019, na naniwala, atsaka ng PSC [Philippine Sports Commission]," Hidilyn said.

"So malaking bagay po 'yun sa akin na ngayon, maraming tumutulong, pero sana, kung may mga atleta pong nakita mong maganda 'yung chance, lapitan po natin at tulungan sila, hindi dahil may chance silang manalo, hindi dahil sa nanalo na, kundi may potential na maging world champion may potential maging Olympic gold medalist," she added.

Last Monday, Diaz made history as the first Filipino to win a gold medal at the Olympics after ruling the women's 55-kg weightlifting event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Given her achievement, she is expected to receive rewards amounting to over P30 million, with other incentives including condominiums and a house and lot.

During her interview, Diaz said a big thank you to her team, her family, and everyone who supported her throughout her journey.

"Gusto ko lang pong sabihin sa lahat ng Pilipino na nagdasal at sumuporta sa aming mga Filipino athletes, maraming maraming salamat po..." she said.

"Thank you so much po na nagkaisa po tayo habang nanunuod ng laban... ng bawat laban ng Filipino athlete, malaking bagay po sa amin na we work as one, we support as one and, at the end of the day, we are Filipino and we represent Filipino. Thank you so much po sa suportang binigay niyo," she added. —JCB, GMA News