Yuka Saso

Just last month, Filipino-Japanese Yuka Saso made history as our first professional golfer to win the prestigious U.S. Women’s Open title. The then-19-year-old was also the youngest player in tournament history to win the championship. Previously, Saso had taken home the country’s first gold medal in both women’s individual and team events during the 2018 Asian Games. We’re about to see her impressive swings again as she represents the Philippines in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

Olivia “Bong” Coo

Considered as one of the greatest international bowlers of all time, four-time World Champion Bong Coo is the most accomplished athlete in the Philippines, regardless of gender and any sport. She took home a total of 78 medals from regional and world competitions, 37 of which were gold. Bong is also the first Filipino athlete to be featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. She won a total of 137 championship titles, with at least one Masters title for 28 consecutive years. In addition, Bong is a five-time Asian Games Gold Medalist and a 14-time Asian Championships gold medalist.

Lydia de Vega-Mercado

Two-time Olympian and star athlete Lydia de Vega-Mercado were hailed in the international sports world as Asia’s fastest woman in the 1980s. At 16 years old, she won a gold medal and broke the record in the women’s 200-meter dash at the 1981 SEA Games. She took home another gold medal from the 400-meter event. During the 1982 and 1986 Asian Games, Lydia brought home two additional gold medals from the 100-meter event.

Haydee Coloso-Espino

At just 16 years old, swimmer Haydee Coloso-Espino took home the highest number of medals among all the Filipino athletes in the 1954 Asian Games. She won gold medals in the 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly events, and a silver medal in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay. Haydee also won one gold and three silver medals during the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games. She is the first swimmer to be inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame.

Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski

At the young age of 16, equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski joined her first international competition in Japan. She won third place in the individual show jumping event. Most notably, Mikee took home a gold medal from the 2002 Asian Games in South Korea. This is the Philippines’ third and last gold medal in the individual show jumping event.

Elma Muros-Posadas

Known as the “Long Jump Queen” of the Philippines, Elma Muros-Posadas is a legend in the Philippine track and field and heptathlon. A former member of the Philippine Track and Field National Team, Elma competed in the heptathlon, 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles, 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter sprint together with Lydia de Vega-Mercado.

Nesthy Petecio

Boxer Nesthy Petecio brought home the silver medal after competing at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Before her stint in the Olympics, Nesthy won a gold medal at the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. She ranks second in the Women’s 57 kg category of the Amateur International Boxing Association.

Hidilyn Diaz

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the Philippines its first-ever Olympic gold medal after winning the women’s 55 kg category in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. She also set an Olympic weightlifting record for the Clean and Jerk’s 55 kg division at 127 kg, lifting a total of 224 kg.

This incredible win is another addition to Hidilyn’s stellar record. She won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal in the 2007 SEA Games. She also won a gold medal from the 1st Southeast Asian Weightlifting Championship in 2015, and three gold medals from the 2020 Weightlifting World Cup.

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