Mexico City.- September 18, 2000, Soraya Jimenez faced her fate at the Darling Harbour Convention CentreIn Sydney, with the power of his arms, he made millions of Mexicans burst with joy when he won the gold medal, where the national anthem was played, thus changing the history of Mexico.
Soraya Jiménez Mendivil fShe was an outstanding Mexican athlete, born on August 5, 1977 in NaucalpanState of Mexico. She is widely remembered for being the first Mexican woman to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
The #Paris2024 Olympics continue, and today we honor the 47th birthday of Mexican Olympic champion weightlifter Soraya Jiménez, the first Mexican woman to ever win an Olympic gold back in Sydney 2000. Her legacy lives on and continues to inspire younger generations of athletes. pic.twitter.com/wVIyF0xKJX
— Mexican Cultural Institute DC (@MexCultureDC) August 5, 2024
Sports Career
From an early age, Soraya showed a talent for weightlifting. At the age of 16, she achieved her first major success by lifting 120 kilograms, which earned her third place at the NORCECA Cup in Colorado Springs, USA. This was just the beginning of a meteoric career.
Soraya Jiménez specialized in weightlifting and reached the peak of her career at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. There, she competed in the 58-kilogram category and managed to lift a total of 225.5 kilograms, outperforming her competitors and securing the gold medal. Her victory not only marked a milestone in the history of Mexican sport, but also inspired a new generation of female athletes in Mexico.
Impact and Legacy
Her achievement in Sydney made her an iconic figure in the national sport, standing out for her determination and competitive spirit. However, her sporting career was marked by several injuries that eventually forced her to retire from competitive sport.
Personal Life and Death
Soraya Jimenez faced several health challenges throughout his lifeFollowing his Olympic victory, he faced multiple operations on his left leg, the loss of a lung, recurring bouts of influenza, and five cardiac arrests. Soraya passed away on March 28, 2013, at the early age of 35. due to an acute myocardial infarction.
However, His legacy lives on as a symbol of perseverance and success.and his name continues to be remembered with admiration in the history of sport in Mexico.
I’m watching the women’s weightlifting and it reminds me of this moment. Shouting about the gold medal of the champion Soraya Jiménez (RIP) in Sydney 2000. pic.twitter.com/ucvz3uIt3P
— JP (@juampichabal) August 8, 2024
Google pays tribute to Soraya Jiménez, who would have turned 44 today
