Monday, october 23nd, 2023.- The United States is the team that has won the most gold medals at the 2023 Santiago Olympic Games, and on this Monday, weightlifting added another gold medal to their tally.

At the Chimkowe Gymnasium in Peñalolén, American weightlifter Olivia Reeves secured first place in the 81-kilogram category, simultaneously achieving a Pan American junior record.

The 20-year-old competitor dominated her division, excelling in both the snatch and clean and jerk with lifts of 114 kg and 144 kg, respectively, resulting in a total Olympic lift of 258 kilograms.

The silver medal went to Yudelina Mejía from Cuba, who lifted 111 kilograms in the snatch, 133 kg in the clean and jerk, and achieved a total score of 244 kilograms.

Brazil's Laura Nascimento earned the bronze medal with lifts of 110 kg in the snatch, 132 kg in the clean and jerk, and a total Olympic lift of 242 kilograms.

Chile's María Fernanda Valdés, who previously won gold in the 87-kilogram category at the 2019 Lima Games, competed in this category but was unable to defend her title for her country. The host athlete settled for ninth place, lifting 100 kilograms in the snatch, 125 kg in the clean and jerk, and achieving a total Olympic lift of 225 kilograms.

Written by Carlos Silva - Rodrigo Parragué translated by Paulette Bertín / Photosport
Photo by Luis Hidalgo/Santiago 2023 / Photosport