Throughout the whole on 2020, Malaysia armed itself with strict SOPs as a way to fight against COVID-19. Most of social activities were stopped and even sports were put on pause as gymnasiums and stadiums where people go to train were all closed. 

Through those challenging times, many of us just gave up even working out at home. We did not see a future where we would ever need to look good and fit because we were all stuck in our homes, unable to wear nice clothes and go out with friends. 

Through all the uncertainty, Hidilyn Diaz who was stuck in Malaysia with her team for month didn’t let her spirit falter. Today, she stands triumphantly as the gold medallist in the 55-kilogram category of women's weightlifting. But her journey there was not an easy one. 

Just like all of us, the 30-year-old weightlifter and airwoman was stranded in our country with no open gyms to train at. Instead of becoming a couch potato like most of us, she improvised. 

She built her own gym using some of the items she found lying around her lockdown apartment. Using a bamboo stuck and some jugs of water, she created lifting sets and trained with them to stay on track and in shape for the Olympics. 

She also filled two duffle bags with jugs of water and lifted them with her trusty bamboo stick. 

She also used the structures around her like the apartment’s door to do pull ups. 

She sahred on her Instagram that her creative training setup brought back memories of her childhood days when she used to plastic pipes and concrete weights to lift. 

Despite her circumstances at the time, she never gave up and instead came up with creative and fun but also effective ways to train. And as we can see now, it all paid off. 

On Monday, Hidilyn won the Philippines' first Olympic gold medal after nearly 100 years and she even set an Olympic record. Congratulations Hidilyn, you are an inspiration to all of us!