As the #Olympics honors its 100th anniversary, let us recall some of the Philippines’ achievements and milestones from previous Games.
First Filipino Olympian
David Nepomuceno (right)
Photo courtesy: Flickr
David Nepomuceno was the first Filipino track and field runner who participated in the Olympics, which was held in Paris, France, in 1924. He was just the representative, competing in the men’s 100 and 200 meter dashes.
First Filipino Olympic Medalist
Photo courtesy: Philippine Olympians Association
Teofilo Yldefonso, a swimmer, became the Philippines’ first Olympic medalist, claiming bronze in the 200-meter breaststroke event at the 1928 Amsterdam Games. He also won bronze at the 1932 Games, marking the first Filipino to win two Summer Olympics medals in a row.
First Olympic Gold Medalist
Photo courtesy: The Diplomat
Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in weightlifting by dominating the women’s 55kg event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan. Diaz currently owns two Olympic weightlifting records.
First Filipino Olympic Silver Medalist
Photo courtesy: Punto Central Luzon
Anthony Villanueva, a boxer, obtained the Philippines’ first silver medal at the 1964 Tokyo Games, eliminating his featherweight rival. He is the son of Jose Luis Villanueva, a boxer who won the bantamweight bronze medal in the 1932 Los Angeles Games.
The country achieved four medals at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, with one gold, two silvers, and one bronze. This is the most medals secured by Filipino athletes at the Olympic Games.