THE DEPARTMENT of Education on Tuesday joined the entire nation in congratulating Hidilyn Diaz for winning the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal.

Diaz’s historic win on Monday brought an end to the country’s 97-year gold-medal drought.

“Ating ipagdiwang ang galing ng Pilipino! Pagbati kay Hidilyn Diaz sa kanyang pagkapanalo ng Gintong Medalya, ang kauna-unahan para sa Pilipinas, sa larangan ng Weightlifting sa #Tokyo2020 Olympics,” DepEd said on Facebook.

The department said Diaz’s success would inspire student-athletes to reach for their goals.

“Isa kang inspirasyon para sa mga mag-aaral na atleta at iba pang kabataan dahil sa iyong husay, paninindigan, at dedikasyon sa iyong larangan! Mabuhay ka, Hidilyn at ang buong Team Pilipinas,” it added.

Diaz recorded a 97kg in the snatch and an Olympic record 127kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 224kg, also an Olympic record.

She also became the first Filipina athlete to win double Olympic medals after her 2016 Rio Olympic silver medal conquest.

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Diaz’s alma mater, also praised the Olympic gold medalist.

“Congratulations on your extraordinary Olympic performance, Hidilyn! Benilde and the Filipino nation are proud of you,” DLS-CSB said.