Barrera makes history, becomes first woman from Ecuador to win Olympic medal

Gulf Today Report

Ecuador ‘s Neisi Patricia Dajomes Barrera scripted history after becoming her country’s first woman to win an Olympic medal when she won gold in the 76 kg weightlifting event at the Tokyo Games on Sunday.

Dominating Dajomes Barrera claimed the top honours by a huge margin of 14kg ahead of American Katherine Nye.

“I feel very happy and very proud,” said Dajomes Barrera through an interpreter. “I guess the training regimen gave me strength and made me feel comfortable at the competition.”

She lifted a total weight of 263 kg, easily surpassing Nye’s total of 249 kg. Mexico’s Aremi Fuentes Zavala took a bronze by lifting 245 kg.

Nye’s silver is the best achievement in the sport for her country since Tara Nott Cunningham won a gold at the Sydney Games, where women’s weightlifting was first introduced.