Two silver medals in weightlifting for Colombia in Paris

When we talk about strength, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the physical strength that allows us to lift objects, for example. However, for Colombian weightlifters Yeison López and Mari Leivis Sánchez, strength has nothing to do with physical appearance, it has a deeper meaning.

These two young men have raised the name of Colombia high this Friday, representing the tricolor flag with their proud smiles among the best weightlifters on the podium of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Yeison López, 24, was proclaimed Olympic runner-up in Paris 2024, in the 89 kilogram category, after achieving records of 180 kg in the snatch, 210 in the clean and jerk and a total of 390.

However, to reach the Olympic podium, López needed more than strength, as his dedication and commitment to his profession changed his life. Before, he worked every day in the fields (on his family’s land) and also with wood.

“It’s an opportunity to get ahead,” says Yeison, referring to sport; the path he chose to enhance his innate physical strength, but which represented a daily challenge in his life. He also defeated every villain in his life thanks to his characteristic strength, from which his nickname ‘Goku’ was born.

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“I have been lifting weights for about 13 years, with good days and bad days, but I think it has all been worth it. Today I am seeing the fruit of everything that has happened and I think that God has rewarded me in a good way,” her expression is one of tranquility, of recognizing that her mental and spiritual strength connect with her physical strength to continue triumphing in sport, to achieve that Olympic medal.

On the other hand, there is the story of 32-year-old Mari Leivis Sánchez, who gave Colombia its third silver medal in Paris 2024 this Friday, after the 112 kilograms snatch, the 145 in clean and jerk and the total of 257, which placed her in second place in the competition, only behind the American Olivia Reeves with the total weight of 262.

Without making much noise and taking advantage of the fact that all the spotlights were on her compatriot, the Antioquia native aimed for the podium, despite the fact that it was not in anyone’s budget and those around her said they were going for the diploma.

Turbo’s daughter, Antioquia, surpassed her own records, keeping calm and being patient with her process, Sánchez was proclaimed Olympic runner-up in Paris 2024 after her brilliant performance, after she lifted 145 kilograms in her last attempt, a weight she had never faced in her career, which was enough for her to get into second place on the podium.

“We never stopped looking for the result we were waiting for, thank God we got the silver medal. I fought for it day after day, I don’t know how to express the emotion I feel for winning this medal. I am very grateful to my family, my coach, my son,” she said after stepping down from the podium.

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They say that heroes have the ability to find enough strength in the most difficult moments, but in the case of Colombian athletes, through effort, work and perseverance, they have found it in their resilience that allows them to recover again and again to be able to lift the weight they set out to do.