Filipino Sports Heroes from Tokyo 2020 Olympics

The Covid-19 pandemic affected every single aspect of life, including the sports.

Every country has to adjust on how they should prepare for the biggest sporting event that only happens once in four years, the Olympic Games.

Filipino athlete did what they could to prepare for the Tokyo 2020 despite of the pandemic and the uncertainties of the hosting of the Games. They've faced hardships and breakdowns. But despite of those challenges, they participated in the said Olympics ready and determined.

During the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, our athletes showcased the Philippines brand of sports and applied the inherent Filipino values.

Lifting Pinoy

It is no secret that we are strong as a nation, but this is the first time that we let the world know that we can mightily lift, literally and figuratively, by winning gold.

On her fourth Games, Hidilyn Diaz finally captured the Philippines' long-awaited maiden gold medal. Adding sweetness to her victory, she set a new Olympic record in her 55kg weightlifting category.

The Philippine national anthem was played for the first time, a moment of pride that lifted the Filipino spirits, unexpectedly from a then-least known sport.

Sportsmanship

Filipino silver medalists, Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, may have lost their respective final bouts but they have shown humility by accepting defeats.

Giving hugs with sincere smiles exhibited more than the values of sportsmanship. Those gestures are ways to accept the results and to set up higher ambitions for the future of the Philippine boxing.

Quirky and Funny

Filipinos are always listed as happy people and we have proven that once more through our very own Margielyn Didal, the Philippines' lone representative in skateboarding.

She may not have won a medal from skateboarding event, but she captured the golden hearts of her fellow Olympians, sports media, and the Brazilian netizens. Didal's antics and charisma are her potions that made her a talk of the sporting world.

The Fighters' Cry

Athletes are heroes--they are our inspiration.

Inspiration are not derived from the story of winning. It is from the story of determination of our athletes in the midst of challenges.

The lack of funding, the injuries, the pandemic and other problems did not stop our heroes from their pursuits of hauling golds and honor for our country. Their cries made them more human, and made their stories more inspiring.

The injuries of Carlo Yulo and Margielyn Didal did not stop them from performing their respective events. Hidilyn Diaz and Eumir Marcial's financial struggles in the preparation and the bashing in the aftermath of expressing their struggles made them stronger. Separation from the families and the goals of uplifting the status made Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam more determined.