Unbound By Gender: Filipino Athletes Redefining Greatness

Poster by: Anne Kirsten M. Cupo

Greatness isn't a matter of gender; it's a measure of skill, dedication, determination, and raw talent

Sports competitions provide a global platform to showcase the relentless efforts of athletes. Such competitions reveal to the audience just a fraction of the difficulties and hardships that the athletes endure, pushing their limits to reach their peak potential. Yet for too long, achievements and failures have been unfairly filtered through the lens of gender stereotypes. While these outdated notions still linger, a new generation of athletes is shattering them with every record they break. Through their expertise, they are proving that greatness truly knows no bounds, regardless of gender.

In the Philippines, three names stand out as powerful examples of this truth: Hidilyn Diaz, Carlos Yulo, and Alex Eala.

For generations, weightlifting has been viewed as a man’s domain. The societal notion is likely shaped through biological factors, such as men having higher testosterone levels. Societal norms have often associated greater muscle mass and physical strength with men, contributing to the marketing of weightlifting being primarily towards them. 

However, these old beliefs are crumbling, and leading the charge is the Philippines' very own powerhouse, Hidilyn Diaz, who became the first Filipino to ever win an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games in the women's 55kg event. She didn’t just participate; she made history. Her victory became not just a personal win, but a national triumph that lifted the hopes of an entire country. She proved that strength and glory are for all, and that it was never gender-bound.

On the other side of the spectrum, gymnastics has long been stereotyped as a sport of grace and elegance, attributes traditionally linked to femininity. The absence of male sporting role models in this category of sports reinforced the idea. Gymnastics also features apparatus that requires less strength, whereas high strength is commonly associated with male anatomy. But Carlos Yulo is reshaping that narrative. He combines incredible strength with breathtaking artistry, defying the notion that gymnastics is a women's sport. He breaks these stereotypes and sets a record, becoming the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win a gold medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Yulo was able to set a new standard, proving that grace and power can coexist beautifully in any athlete, regardless of gender.

For decades, the world of tennis has been dominated by strong international names. For a long time, it felt like Filipino players, especially Filipino women, were hardly expected to meet those standards. This was largely due to the sport's historically male-dominated nature, even as female stars emerged on the global scene. But a new era has dawned, and leading the charge is the Philippines' rising star, Alex Eala.  At just 19 years old, she has already carved her name into history as the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title and the first Filipino female to win a junior Grand Slam doubles. Her meteoric rise gives hope to young girls everywhere, showing them that determination, not gender, is what makes a champion worthy of the court. She is a living testament that greatness isn't a matter of who you are, but how hard you're willing to fight for your dreams.

These athletes have won the hearts and minds of the Philippines and beyond. Through their unwavering passion, drive, and grit, they are dismantling the walls of gender stereotypes, one victory at a time. Hidilyn Diaz, Carlos Yulo, and Alex Eala are not just great athletes. They are stars who demonstrate that the universal platform of sports is for everyone who dares to push their limits, regardless of gender.