With all the guts, glory, and superhuman feats of athletic prowess, it can be easy to forget Olympic competitors are just mere mortals like us.
But Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz offered the perfect reminder in the moments after her record breaking gold medal win for her home country of the Philippines.
Asked what she would do now that she'd won the first Olympic gold ever for her country, Gomez replied "eat a lot," and nothing has ever been more relatable.
Filipino weightlifter broke down and said she planned to 'eat a lot' after winning her country's first Olympic gold medal everhttps://www.insider.com/hidilyn-diaz-weightlifter-wins-philippines-first-olympic-gold-2021-7\u00a0\u2026— Sports Insider (@Sports Insider) 1627318944
Congrats PHILIPPINES on the very first gold metal! and of course it is a Filipina WOMAN who did it!! #femalepower #pinaypower #HidilynDiaz— Manila Luzon (@Manila Luzon) 1627404210
Diaz certainly has plenty of reasons for a celebratory meal.
Not only is she the first Olympian in history to win a gold medal for the Philippines, but she did so while breaking the record in her event.
Her 127 kg clean and jerk bested the previous record set just moments before by Chinese competitor Liao Quiyun.
WATCH: Hidilyn Diaz's final clean and jerk lift that got her the gold medal.pic.twitter.com/nftq2ORXJW— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRER Sports) 1627305143
These unprecedented feats make it easy to understand why Diaz immediately burst into tears after dropping her weight to the floor, as the reality of her achievement sank in.
Hidilyn\u2019s winning moment Congratulations \n\nMY HANDS ARE STILL SHAKING pic.twitter.com/Fdbgidrakg— rooda\u207a\u207a\ud83e\udd41 (@rooda\u207a\u207a\ud83e\udd41) 1627303551
History. Made.\n\nHidilyn Diaz has won the first ever gold medal for Philippines!\n\n#PHI #Gold #PHI #Gold #PHI #Goldpic.twitter.com/hrhavf2Iyp— Olympics (@Olympics) 1627304154
THIS IS OUR MOMENT: #PHI's first-ever #Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz salutes the Philippine flag as the national anthem Lupang Hinirang is played for the first time in the Gamespic.twitter.com/anjaXZ7wFZ— Tonyo Cruz (@Tonyo Cruz) 1627304756
But it was her response to reporters that rang most true with people.
We may not all know what it's like to break the world record or win an Olympic medal, but we all know what it's like to be hungry.
Asked what's next for her after her Tokyo Olympics win, Diaz replied:
"Yes, I will eat a lot tonight. I mean, I've been sacrificing my food, and this is the time to celebrate together with the people who are behind me. So I'm really thankful I can eat now, yes."
So what will Diaz be feasting on as she basks in her Olympic glory?
For starters, cheesecake and bubble tea. A meal fit for an icon! And to be sure, Diaz has earned every bite.
After winning silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016 in a surprise upset, Diaz placed single-minded focus on winning gold in Tokyo, hiring a new training team and moving to Malaysia to train just as the pandemic began.
She's been locked down there ever since until her travels to Tokyo, and told reporters after the bubble tea and cheesecake, she can't wait to go home and be with her family.
On Twitter, people couldn't stop cheering for this new champion.
Congrats to all the people of the Philippines. Enjoy this precious moment. I am so happy for you. \nI remembered being a teenager and watching my country, Chile, winning our only two gold medals in the games held in Athens in 2004.— Esteban Salas (@Esteban Salas) 1627358794
Congratulations Hidilyn Diaz for winning the Philippines first ever Olympic Gold Medal and definitely not the last— Noel Toraja Plazo (@Noel Toraja Plazo) 1627309245
Thank you for this @nytimes. Hidilyn\u2019s win is a symbol of unity and hope our country badly needs right now. It is a celebration one century in the making, A Filipina can win gold at the Olympics and it\u2019s possible!— Kristoff \ud83e\udd34\ud83c\udffb (@Kristoff \ud83e\udd34\ud83c\udffb) 1627362583
Salute to Filipina strength.— \ud835\udd3d\ud835\udd43\ud835\udd46\u2102\u210d\ud835\udd40\u2122 (@\ud835\udd3d\ud835\udd43\ud835\udd46\u2102\u210d\ud835\udd40\u2122) 1627373811
As a Filipino, thank you so much, our Malaysian brothers and sisters. You've been of great help. Cheers to all Asian and Southeast Asian nations! We know you'll get your Olympic gold medal soon as well!— arkquen (@arkquen) 1627354319
a woman for our first GOLD in olympics! can\u2019t be more prouder than that..— Sarah P. (@Sarah P.) 1627314813
Thank you, Hidilyn Diaz, for the first-ever Olympic Gold for the Philippines! We are so proud of you! pic.twitter.com/JhRrKlPrm6— Manny Pacquiao (@Manny Pacquiao) 1627329052
First Filipino athlete to clinch the gold at the Summer Olympics since the Philippines sent athletes to the Games in 1924.\u00a0We are celebrating big time!!— \u2022 Ann\u03b1 \u2022 (@\u2022 Ann\u03b1 \u2022) 1627348317
not me crying watching powerhouse hidilyn diaz win the first ever gold medal for the Philippines pic.twitter.com/16ZisRgMkf— alex (@alex) 1627335711
Diaz's gold medal win is particularly momentous given how long the Philippines has been participating in the Olympics.
They sent their first athletes 97 years ago, for the 1924 Paris games.
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