Lydia Valentín Pérez (born 10 February 1985) is a Spanish weightlifter who has left an indelible mark on the sport. She is an Olympic Champion, 2-time World Champion, and 4-time European Champion. Valentín started her career competing in the 75 kg category until 2018 when the International Weightlifting Federation reorganized the categories, and she began competing in the 81 kg category.
Valentín’s success on the international stage is undeniable. She has won three Olympic medals, starting with a silver in 2008. Four years later, at the 2012 Olympics in London, Valentín claimed the gold medal. In 2016, she added a bronze medal to her Olympic collection. In addition to her Olympic achievements, Valentín has also clinched two World Weightlifting Championships in 2017 and 2018, further solidifying her status as one of the best weightlifters in the world.
Within Europe, Valentín has dominated the competition, winning four European Weightlifting Championships. She has secured numerous gold medals for the total, including victories in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018. Additionally, she has earned three silver medals and three bronze medals in various weightlifting disciplines.
Valentín’s journey to success has been marked by dedication and perseverance. At the 2007 World Championships, she ranked sixth in the 75 kg category, showcasing her potential and determination. In 2013, she won bronze in the snatch and finished fourth in the total, but due to doping disqualifications, Valentín was promoted to silver and bronze respectively. Her triumphs continued in 2017 when she secured the World Weightlifting Championship held in Anaheim, United States.
The Olympic Games have played a significant role in Valentín’s career. In 2008, she competed in the 75 kg category at the Beijing Olympics, finishing in fifth place with a total of 250 kg. However, retests of samples from the competition revealed positive results for the original gold and bronze medalists, resulting in their disqualification. As a result, Valentín was awarded the silver medal. A similar scenario unfolded at the 2012 Olympics in London, where Valentín finished in fourth place. But during retests, all three original medalists returned positive results, leading to their disqualification. Valentín’s exceptional performance granted her the title of Olympic Champion, and in March 2019, she was awarded the gold medal she rightfully earned.
Valentín’s impact extends beyond her personal achievements. In 2016, she made history by winning Spain’s first-ever weightlifting medal, a bronze, at the Rio Olympics. Her groundbreaking performance inspired a new generation of Spanish weightlifters and helped raise the profile of the sport in her home country.
In 2021, Valentín continued to showcase her prowess at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, competing in the women’s 87 kg event and further solidifying her place among the elite weightlifters of the world.
Throughout her career, Lydia Valentín has proven herself to be a formidable force in weightlifting. Her dedication, perseverance, and remarkable achievements have not only earned her numerous titles but have also inspired countless individuals. Valentín’s influence on the sport and her role in women’s history are marked by her exceptional performances on the international stage, making her a trailblazer and an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world.
Awards:
– Olympic Champion (Gold in 2012)
– 2-time World Champion (2017 and 2018)
– 4-time European Champion