Since Ecuador’s Olympic return in 1968, the nation has won 10 medals, of which four are attributed to women in weightlifting. Neisi Dajomes emerged as the first female Olympic gold medallist for Ecuador at the Tokyo 2020 Games. With a celebratory legacy of family involvement in the sport, she continues to inspire young athletes while enhancing the visibility of women’s weightlifting in her country.
Ecuador has made a remarkable return to the Olympic platform after initially participating in the 1924 Games, securing a total of 10 medals since 1968, four of which have been earned through the impressive performances of female weightlifters. Neisi Dajomes stands out as a pivotal figure, becoming Ecuador’s first female Olympic gold medallist by triumphing in the 76kg category at Tokyo 2020, achieving a total lift of 263 kg (118-145).
Born on May 12, 1998, Neisi was inspired by her older brother Javier, who passed away in 2018. She made her competitive debut in 2011 at the Youth World Championships and clinched her first title two years later in the same event. Although she finished seventh in her first Olympics in Rio 2016, she persevered and subsequently earned several medals on the world stage, culminating in her Olympic victory in Tokyo.
Post-victory, Dajomes remarked, “After that win, Ecuador discovered weightlifting and started following the sport. Moreover, it also deeply changed the way people were looking at women’s weightlifting.” She qualified for her third Olympic appearance last year, taking home a bronze medal in the 81kg category in Paris, making her the only Ecuadorian female athlete to achieve multiple Olympic medals in weightlifting.
Dajomes attributes her success to a family legacy in the sport, with three of her siblings—Angie, Jessica, and German—competing at high levels, inspired by their late brother. Additionally, Tamara Salazar, who won silver in Tokyo, complements this family of outstanding female weightlifters, contributing to an encouraging emergence of women in Ecuadorian weightlifting.
Neisi Dajomes has established herself as an exemplar in Ecuadorian sports, marking significant progress in women’s weightlifting. Her achievements not only elevate her individual status as a champion but also spotlight the potential and recognition of female athletes in Ecuador. As part of a supportive family legacy, Dajomes and her siblings are reshaping the landscape of weightlifting in their nation, paving the way for future generations.
Original Source: iwf.sport
