GAME CHANGERS

In celebration of the 2024 Paris Olympics, we highlight the Filipino athletes who shatter the glass ceiling in their respective sports. They not only bring honour to our country but also stand as inspiring symbols of national pride

- Maritess Garcia-Reyes and Jessica Zapata

HIDILYN DIAZ

Weightlifting

The country’s longing for an Olympic gold medal finally ended during the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020 with the remarkable win of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in the women’s 55 kg category. Even with her strength and determination, Diaz’s journey to the gold medal was still as challenging as one can imagine, having to push her body to its limits to test if she had even the slightest bit of chance to nab a gold.

Diaz’s win was timely; 2020 was a year full of loss and uncertainties caused by the pandemic and her triumph was a sign of hope to the country. Filipinos honoured their first Olympic gold medalist, celebrating her prowess in the sport. Apart from her historic Olympic win, Diaz was also victorious at the Asian Championships and Southeast Asian Games.

Diaz’s exceptional sports career, with its highs and lows, serves as an inspiration to young athletes hoping to represent the Philippines internationally. Diaz might not have made it to this year’s Paris Olympics, but she continues to champion a true athlete’s spirit by learning new skills as she awaits her next competition.

ALEX EALA

Tennis

The Philippines was in a lull in the tennis scene for over two decades—until tennis player Alex Eala came. Taking the tennis world by storm, Eala debuted at the 2020 International Tennis Federation Girls’ Junior rankings at number two. From there, she secured two bronze medals in the Asian Games, a US Open junior championship, a French Open junior doubles championship and an Australian Open junior doubles championship.