Hidilyn Diaz's Tokyo triumph lifts Philippines out of COVID blues

First gold medalist beats better-funded rivals and outshines Duterte speech

20210727 diaz salute

Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines' first gold medalist, stands on the podium on July 26. © Reuters

FRANCESCA REGALADO and CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO/MANILA -- Every fourth Tuesday of July, the president's state of the nation address typically dominates newspaper headlines in the Philippines. But this morning, rather than focusing on the last such speech of strongman Rodrigo Duterte's presidency, the front pages featured a woman's historic achievement.

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