The weightlifter from Esmeraldas, María Alexandra Escobar, made history again during her participation in the Bolivarian Games, this time in Santa Marta.

Last Sunday she won three gold medals in the 58 kg category by lifting 98 kg in snatch, 118 kg in clean and jerk, and 216 kg in total.

This success, like the one she began to accumulate in the 2001 Bolivarian Games held in Ambato, where Ecuador finished third with 46 gold medals, 66 silver medals, and 133 bronze medals, was different because she couldn't share it with her husband, Xavier Gracia, who passed away last February.

Indeed, her former partner and father of their only child, Dominic, was her inspiration to reach the top of the tournament which marks the beginning of the Olympic cycle for Tokyo 2020.

At 37 years old, Alexandra says she is like fine wine. "The older, the better," as detailed in a press release by the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee (COE).

She adds that her condition depends on various aspects, such as taking care of herself, being disciplined, eating well, working twice as hard in technical and physical aspects, but mainly making a reality what her husband asked of her. "He told me: 'Don't retire, Alexandra, you still have a lot of joy to bring to the country'. I listened to him and keep succeeding, that's why I dedicate all my successes to him, because I'm still here thanks to his advice, still harvesting successes for him, my son, and my people."

With five Bolivarian Games, four South American and Pan American Games, four Olympics, and more World Championships, Alexandra points out: "I won them all, fifteen in reality, since the first Bolivarian Games I participated in. I won all the gold medals in snatch, clean and jerk, and total."

And when asked if these will be the last medals she will win, she responds that yes, but only at the Bolivarian level.

Escobar, in addition to being Ecuador's flag bearer at the 2008 Olympic Games, was the highest placed in the last Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro 2016, where she finished fourth.

With the three gold medals won by the weightlifter, Ecuador completed ten gold medals in the overall classification of the Santa Marta Games.

The other gold medals won by the Tricolor were for the participation of Miguel Ferrín in boxing, the team and Diego Vivero in equestrian, Lenín Preciado in judo, Samantha Arévalo in the 5 and 10 km open water races, and Diana Durango in target shooting.

5 Bolivarian Games

The weightlifter from Esmeraldas completed her fifth Games, marking the beginning of a new Olympic cycle. She made her debut in the 2001 competition held in Ambato.

"I plan to continue fighting throughout the Olympic cycle because my final retirement will be at the Tokyo 2020 Games, and why not dream of an Olympic medal of any color."

Alexandra Escobar, weightlifter

(D)