Lydia de Vega

Filipina athlete (1964–2022)

Lydia de Vega-Mercado (December 26, 1964 – August 10, 2022)[1][2] was a Filipino athlete. She was known as Asia's fastest woman in the 1980s.[3][4][5] She represented the Philippines at the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics.

Lydia de Vega
Personal information
Birth nameLydia de Vega
Nickname(s)Diay
Born(1964-12-26)December 26, 1964
Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines
DiedAugust 10, 2022(2022-08-10) (aged 57)
Makati, Philippines
Sport
Country Philippines
SportTrack and field
Event(s)100m, 200m, 400m, long jump
Coached byTatang de Vega
Claro Pellosis
Retired1994
Medal record
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Asian Athletics Championships 4 3 3
Asian Games 2 1 -
Southeast Asian Games 9 2 -
Total 15 6 3
Women's athletics
Representing  Philippines
Asian Athletics Championships
Gold medal – first place 1987 Singapore 100m
Gold medal – first place 1987 Singapore 200m
Gold medal – first place 1983 Kuwait City 200m
Gold medal – first place 1983 Kuwait City 100m
Silver medal – second place 1983 Kuwait City 400m
Silver medal – second place 1981 Tokyo 400m
Silver medal – second place 1981 Tokyo 4×400 m
Bronze medal – third place 1981 Tokyo 200m
Bronze medal – third place 1985 Jakarta 100m
Bronze medal – third place 1979 Tokyo 4×400 m
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1982 New Delhi 100m
Gold medal – first place 1986 Seoul 100m
Silver medal – second place 1986 Seoul 200m
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1981 Manila 200m
Gold medal – first place 1981 Manila 400m
Gold medal – first place 1983 Singapore 200m
Gold medal – first place 1987 Jakarta 100m
Gold medal – first place 1987 Jakarta 200m
Gold medal – first place 1987 Jakarta Long Jump
Gold medal – first place 1991 Manila 100m
Silver medal – second place 1991 Manila 200m
Gold medal – first place 1993 Singapore 100m
Gold medal – first place 1993 Singapore 200m

In 2018, De Vega was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.[6] She died on August 10, 2022 from the disease at a hospital in Makati, Philippines at the age of 57.[7][8]

References

change
  1. "Asia's fastest woman Lydia de Vega passes away at 57". PEP. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  2. "Biography: Lydia DE VEGA-MERCADO ()". International Association of Athletics Federations. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
  3. "Lydia de Vega: Asia's World-Class Track Queen in the 80s". Athletic Asia. May 27, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  4. "Loyzaga, Mumar, Sulaiman, De Vega to be feted by PSA (psa)". Manila Bulletin. January 3, 2005. Archived from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
  5. "Athletics Podium". Lydia de Vega. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  6. Isaga, JR (July 20, 2022). "Lydia de Vega in 'very critical condition,' family pleads for help". Rappler. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  7. "Sports icon Lydia de Vega dies after four-year cancer battle". Rappler. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  8. Terrado, Reuben (10 August 2022). "Lydia De Vega, once Asia's sprint queen, dies of cancer at age 57". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 11 August 2022.