Ecuadorian weightlifter Tamara Salazar set a new Pan American record in the 81 kilogram category at the Weightlifting Grand Prix held in Havana, Cuba, a qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where together with Neisi, Dajomes reached the total four medals for Ecuador.

Salazar started the performance with a bronze medal in the jerk, with a weight of 116 kilograms in his best attempt.

Neisi Dajomes wins the gold medal at the Havana Grand Prix

This category went to Dajomes, who won the gold after defining the series against Norway’s Eila Koanda.

With two valid attempts (115 and 118 kilograms), the Olympic champion sought 121 kilograms in the third outing, but failed; however, a 118 in the second lift allowed her to take the gold, followed by the Norwegian who lifted a 116 in the second but could not beat 120 for her third move.

For the elimination modality, the group of participants was reduced to six after the withdrawal of Canadian Maya Laylor.

The representatives of Ecuador and Norway again fought for gold, this time Salazar and Koanda, who started with a weight of 144 kilograms, while the woman from Caracas failed with 145.

In this modality, Dajomes remained with the bronze medal after she lifted 136 and 142 kilograms in her first attempts and failed in 145 in the third movement.

The second attempt for Salazar was valid (145), but the Norwegian’s bet increased to 149. The Ecuadorian equaled the weight and with 149 kilograms surpassed the current Pan American record (148), but the effort was not enough for the gold, who went to Norway after Koanda lifted 150 kilograms.

With a total of 266 kilograms between the jerk and the throw, the Norwegian weightlifter won the overall Olympic gold, and he was followed on the podium by two Ecuadorian athletes: Salazar with silver (265) and Dajomes with a bronze medal, with a total of 260 kilograms. (D)