Tuesday, october 24nd, 2023.- Sports are inspiring, and it was precisely that emotion that took over the Gimnasio Chimkowe in Peñalolén, in a dramatic final of the +102-kilogram weightlifting category at the Pan American Games Santiago 2023.

The audience filled the stands of the venue located in the southeastern sector of Santiago and rejoiced thanks to the gold won by the Colombian Rafael Cerro Castillo, who secured the title on his last attempt in the clean and jerk.

The representative from Colombia claimed the gold medal with a total of 410 kilograms, thanks to his 185-kilogram lift in the snatch and 225 kilograms in the clean and jerk.

Cerro Castillo battled inch by inch for the first place with the weightlifter from the United States, Keiser Witte, who lifted 187 kilograms in the snatch and 222 kilograms in the clean and jerk, totaling 409 kilograms overall.

The bronze medal was awarded to the Ecuadorian Dixon Arroyo, who completed his performance with a total of 371 kilograms, with 175 kilograms in the snatch and 196 kilograms in the clean and jerk.

The final day of weightlifting competitions generated excitement among the Chilean audience, who vibrated and celebrated Rafael Cerro's victory with great enthusiasm. His compatriots cheered with joy, creating a spontaneous chorus of applause from spectators of other nationalities.

Written by Carlos Silva Rojas - Rodrigo Parragué; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport
Photo by Luis Hidalgo/Santiago 2023 / Photosport