Mauricio Valencia, Colombian Para Athlete

Shot put Para athlete Mauricio Valencia’s motto is: I'm all in. This is his secret to success. He is the champion of Olympic cycle competition. Even though the list of his victories is endless, he deeply regrets not getting the gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

In the previous edition of the Parapan American Games, he obtained only two silver medals: shot put F32/33/34 class and javelin throw F34/57 class. "It was a very hard competition and, even though I was happy to win two silver medals for Colombia, I think I could’ve done better", he said about his participation in the previous continental event.

The story was quite the opposite in 2011 when he reached the gold in the Guadalajara Parapan American Games. It was one of the first international competitions in which he participated as a professional athlete and the one that left him with the best memories.

His career began to consolidate after the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and the London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships. In both tournaments, Mauricio Valencia won the gold in javelin throw F34/57 class. “I always give my best, I use all of my energy. It is easier competing that way,” he said.

He knows that the road was not easy. He sacrificed a lot to become a successful Para athlete. He also knows that his effort has left an indelible imprint in his home country and he has become an inspiration for many people. “My advice for people with an impairment is to believe in themselves, to believe they can actually do things.”

Every day at eight o’ clock in the morning, he is ready to start his workout routine to strengthen and tone his muscles at the gym. In the afternoon, he visits the only place where he feels at home: the athletics track. His training session includes up to 40 javelin throws using his awesome right arm to improve his technique and break his marks. 

There is only one thing in his mind now: Lima 2019. He is totally motivated and is working very hard with his coach to be at the Parapan American Games and win the javelin throw, shot put and discus throw competitions. That is his next goal.