Twenty years have passed since then, during which he has experienced everything. Victories, sadness and injuries, But he never lost sight of the biggest goal of his career: participating in the Olympic Games.
Now, have the opportunity to be in a world-class competition for the first time, such as Paris 2024, It makes him nostalgic, as he remembers with emotion his beginnings in judo, a sport that became a philosophy of life.
“I started playing sports in October 2004, after a high school classmate suggested me.who was a boxer, told me that we should go to the Casa del Deportista. I liked soccer, but because I was small I wasn’t doing well,” shares Solís, who is originally from the colonial city.
“First he showed me karate, but it didn’t interest me; then boxing and weightlifting, until we came to judo. I approached the coach and asked him what he needed to train. “I want to.”answered.
Qualifying for Paris
Solís obtained the pass to the Olympic Games after finish well placed in the continental rankings. It was decisive that he is currently ranked number one in the national and Central American rankings in the -48 kilogram category.
For the athlete, it was essential to have finished among the best 16 at the Abu Dhabi World Championships, as well as the bronze medal at the Pan American Open, which took place in June in Lima, Peru. Both results gave her the opportunity to compete in what will be her first Olympics.
“I am grateful to God, because in 2015 I was looking to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.But my first daughter was born and that dream faded away. Then I returned to training and my second baby arrived, and the outlook was more complicated with the sport,” she says.
Abigail, 8 years old, and Mia, 6, They are Jacqueline’s greatest treasures, as they give her the strength to carry on. The little girls are also excited about the adventure in France, and a few days before leaving they gave her a list of souvenirs they want from France.
The expected train
“In 2023, I told my family that I was going to retire from family activities. I told my husband (Joshua), get on or off this train because I was going to focus on getting to the Olympics. It was now or never,” she reveals.
She recalls that when she finished among the top 16 in the world in Abu Dhabi she started crying with happiness.When I received the notification that I would be in Paris I continued crying, I thanked God, my family, husband, coaches, for the great support.”
Jacqueline will be the first woman in the history of Guatemalan judo to compete in the Olympics. Previously, athletes such as Juan González and Rodolfo Cano participated in Atlanta 1996; Jorge Quintanal in Sydney 2000; and Darrel Castillo in London 2012. Jorge Ramos participated in the Rio 2016 edition.
Solís is already in France at a training camp. She will be the first Guatemalan to compete in Paris, on July 27, starting at 2am (Guatemala time) at the Champ de Mars Arena.
Profile of Jacqueline Solis
Mother and athlete.
- Born on 22-12-1988
- The athlete learned judo in Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez.
- Her inspiration is her daughters Abigail and Mía Martínez, aged 8 and 6.
- She won bronze at the 2024 Lima Pan American Open.
- He will compete in Paris on July 27th, starting at 2:00 a.m.
- The judoka’s category is -48 kilograms.
- He qualified by his position in the continental ranking.
#Paris #Olympics #reward #perseverance
