When it comes to fitness inspiration, look no further than women in the Olympics. In Asia in particular, several female athletes have made a significant impact — not only in the world of sports, but also as role models for other women, both within and beyond the Olympic community, who are on their own fitness journeys.
It’s easy to see why people look up to these women athletes. In the high-stakes world of training and competition, they have mastered discipline, perseverance, passion, and dedication. But you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to reach your fitness goals. Sometimes, all it takes is the same discipline and commitment. And perhaps a little inspiration from women athletes who not only broke barriers but also challenged gender stereotypes.
Below, we’ve put together a list of inspiring Asian women Olympians you’ll want to follow for fitness inspiration.
Hidilyn Diaz (Philippines)
A weightlifting powerhouse from the Philippines, Hidilyn Diaz made history as the first-ever Filipina to become an Olympic gold medalist during the 2020 Summer Olympics. Bringing so much pride to the Philippines, Diaz is also an inspiration to women who dare to dabble in a sport mostly dominated by men. Beyond the medals, her journey is a testament to what women can achieve in sports, even in one that isn’t traditionally deemed feminine.
With a muscular physique from years of intense training, she is not afraid to showcase her feminine side from time to time. That is perhaps why, no matter how strong she may look on the surface, she will always have that endearing quality — a woman in weightlifting who’s also a little kikay on the side.
Through her Instagram, you can see photos and videos of her lifting, while she also embraces her more feminine side in other posts. With her athletic physique, one can’t help but feel inspired.
Siobhan Haughey (Hong Kong)
Siobhan Haughey, a competitive swimmer from Hong Kong, is also a powerhouse in her own field. Similar to Diaz, she brought pride to her country by becoming the first swimmer from Hong Kong to win an Olympic medal. And two medals, at that — one in the Women's 200 metre freestyle and the other in the 100 metre freestyle, both during the 2020 Summer Olympics. She also achieved the same feat at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, bringing her accolades to a total of four and making her the only athlete from her country to have won four Olympic medals. Let’s talk about herstory!
On her social media pages, she is also a fitness inspiration, often posting photos of herself at the beach and showing off the physique she developed from extensive swimming training. If there’s one thing her Instagram feed tells us, it’s that she’s an active woman who is always in her natural habitat: if she’s not swimming in competition, she’s having fun at the beach… swimming.
Zheng Qinwen (China)
Sometimes, a healthy body is a great outfit in and of itself. It gives you confidence to pull off any ensembles. It just so happens that Zheng Qinwen’s fashion game is on another level, too. And her confidence isn’t only evident — it screams; the kind of confidence you can see from someone who takes care of their body really well.
A professional tennis player from China, Qinwen holds the record as the first Asian tennis player to have won an Olympic gold medal in singles. On Instagram, she’s more than just a renowned tennis player — she’s also a fashionista. And that physique is simply an inspiration!
Panipak Wongpattanakit (Thailand)
Panipak Wongpattanakit is a retired taekwondo athlete from Thailand. After scoring a medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Wongpattanakit — nicknamed “Tennis” — decided to bid farewell to the world of Olympics to focus on her Taekwondo gym and coaching instead. Despite that, there’s no denying the indelible mark she left as the top-ranked female taekwondo athlete in the world.
Apart from getting busier coaching aspiring athletes, she also travels in her free time. And she’s also not afraid to flaunt her physique, showing off the strength and discipline she honed from years of competition. You may have seen her battling it out, kicking and punching, but she’s also just as comfortable posing in stylish outfits or sharing glimpses of her adventures. Check out Wongpattanakit’s Instagram account for more travel photos and fitspiration.
Camille Cheng (Hong Kong)
A competitive swimmer from Hong Kong, Camille Cheng is known not only for representing her city at the Olympic Games, but also for making a mark in freestyle swimming. Beyond competitions, she is also a key figure of the IOC Mental Health Ambassadors and the co-founder of MindTheWaves — a Hong Kong-based mental health advocacy group. She really is the epitome of a beautiful woman inside and out.
Apart from her life within and beyond the Olympics, Cheng is also a fitness inspiration for many, often sharing glimpses of her active lifestyle. Follow her on Instagram to see her athletic journey and moments of inspiration both in and out of the water.
