(CNN Philippines) — The 2016 Olympic Games are not yet over, but silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz is coming back to the Philippines on Thursday to celebrate her historic victory with her fellow Filipinos.
Diaz broke a two-decade long Olympic medal drought for the Philippines when she placed second during the women’s 53kg weightlifting category on Monday, with a score of 200kg.
The 25-year-old left Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday for a 25-hour long trip via Dubai.
Diaz said she was excited to go home, but was also sad because she will be leaving her fellow athletes from the Philippine contingent. “Napamahal na ako sa lahat ng kasama ko dito.” [Translation: I fell in love with all my colleagues here.]
She will arrive on Thursday in NAIA Terminal 3 at 4:30 p.m. Her parents, Eduardo and Emelita, will be flown to Manila from Zamboanga City. Diaz is expected to fly to Davao City at 7:40 p.m to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte.
If plans push through, Diaz and her family will fly to Zamboanga City on Friday. She said she wants to spend time with her family and enjoy the fiesta in their hometown in Mampang on Sunday.
Diaz wishes six of her fellow Filipino athletes who have yet to see action good luck. “Kaya niyo iyan,” [ Translation: You can do it.] she said.
Swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi will race in the women’s 100m freestyle at 1 p.m. Wednesday Rio de Janeiro time (12 midnight Thursday PHT). Golfer Miguel Tabuena will compete from Aug. 11 to 14, marathoner Mary Joy Tabal on August 14, and long jumper Marestella Torres Sunang and 400m hurdles entry Eric Cray will both see action on August 16. Taekwondo’s Kirstie Elaine Alora will be the last Filipino athlete to compete in the women’s +67 kg class on August 20.
Alkhaldi is competing in her second Olympics. The 23-year-old said she is more comfortable now compared to the 2012 London games. “I felt I was too young then. I felt like a baby in the waters… I feel better competing now.”
Tabuena will tee off at 9:47 a.m. Rio de Janeiro time (8:47 p.m. PHT), together with Japan’s Yuta Ikeda and Finland’s Roope Kako. The golfer is confident that he can put up a good show against the world’s best, including Justine Rose, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson. However, top golfers Jason Day and Rory McIlroy have withdrawn from the Olympic Games.
The 2016 Olympics will officially close on August 21 Rio de Janeiro time.
