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Yeison Lopez from Colombia rounded off a highly successful year when he claimed another notable victory at the Bolivarian Games in Lima, Peru. A few days later he won a prestigious sportsperson of the year title.

“It’s been a wonderful year,” Lopez said. “I’m coming off a very special year with the Olympic Games, but 2025 has also been very special because I’ve achieved so much.

“The key is discipline. When we are disciplined, consistent, and work hard, success comes easily. I am a man very dedicated to what I do.”

Lopez set two world records when he won the 88kg world title in Norway in October, and was within range of another one at the Bolivarian Games, where he was Colombia’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

Yeison Lopez (COL) – Photo credit: Lopez’ Instagram page

He equalled Ro Kwang Ryol’s world record of 215kg when he jumped 12kg to make his second clean and jerk. But he declined his final attempt, as he had done in snatch. In his four good lifts, Lopez made 169-215-384, which was 3kg less than his own world record on total. Medals were awarded in snatch and clean and jerk, but not on total.

Lopez, 26, was second behind Karlos Nasar at the Paris Olympic Games last year and has been in the top two in his past eight competitions. He was presented with the El Espectador/Movistar sportsperson of the year award, which has been running for 65 years, on Monday. There was further recognition for weightlifting when Luis Arrieta was named coach of the year.

Keydomar Vallenilla (VEN) – Photo credit: Vallenilla’s’ Instagram page

Lopez’ only setback in 2025 was at the Pan American Championships, where he failed with his last two attempts and finished second to Keydomar Vallenilla from Venezuela. Vallenilla moved up to 94kg in Lima (he weighed in 2kg light) and won on 176-216-392, which put him second behind Lopez in the individual rankings.

Both men set continental records, Lopez in clean and jerk, and Vallenilla in clean and jerk and total. Two other men set Pan American senior records – Reinner Arango from Venezuela with a 150kg snatch at 71kg, and the Colombian super-heavyweight Rafael Cerro with a clean and jerk of 227kg.

Angel Rodriguez from Venezuela, who was second behind Lopez, claimed junior Pan American records in snatch and total when he made 168-192-360. Rodriguez, 19, was a silver medallist at the World Junior Championships this year. His team-mate Julio Mayora declined his second and third snatch attempts but still took both golds at 79kg on 145-193-338.

Anyelin Venegas (VEN) – Photo credit: Venegas’ Instagram page

Venezuela had the top female performer in Anyelin Venegas, who had a sweep of continental records at 58kg when she made 99-122-221. The Ecuador junior Jessica Palacios Dajome was ranked second despite making only two good lifts at 63kg on 95-122-217.

Yenny Sinisterra, Julieth Rodrigues and Mari Leivis Sanchez all won two gold medals for Colombia. Sinisterra made 104-123-227 at 63kg, Rodriguez 107-132-239 at 69kg, and Sanchez 105-128-233 at 77kg.

Yenny Sinisterra (COL) – Photo credit: Sinisterra’s Instagram page

Colombia and Venezuela dominated the medals tables. Colombia won 17 golds, 10 silvers and two bronzes, while Venezuala had 12, nine and eight respectively.

By Brian Oliver