Puerto Rico Loses It As Monica Puig Wins Island's First-Ever Olympic Gold

"I think I united a nation," the Olympian said.
Puerto Rico celebrated after Monica Puig claimed the island's first-ever Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016.
Puerto Rico celebrated after Monica Puig claimed the island's first-ever Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016.
Alvin Baez/Reuters

Puerto Rico erupted in joy after Monica Puig won its first-ever Olympic gold medal Saturday.

Spontaneous celebrations broke out across the Caribbean island after the 22-year-old defeated Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the women’s singles tennis final at Rio 2016.

I think I united a nation,” Puig, who was ranked 34th in the world, said in an emotional interview following her astonishing performance against the second seed. “And I just love where I come from.”

Watch the interview here:

Celebrities including singer Jennifer Lopez and actors Lin-Manuel Miranda and Rosie Perez all scrambled to pay heartfelt tribute to Puig on Twitter.

The #PicaPower hashtag also trended worldwide, while multiple videos posted online showed an electric carnival atmosphere erupting in the capital of San Juan and other cities.

Check out some of the best posts below.

For more Olympics coverage:

Before You Go

LOADINGERROR LOADING

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot