Lorena Ríos Paz: A Comprehensive Biography of Bolivia’s Record-Setting High Jump Star
Early Life and Introduction to Athletics
Lorena Ríos Paz, born on 1 May 1998 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, discovered her passion for track and field at age 14. Specializing in the high jump, she quickly rose through Bolivia’s grassroots competitions under the guidance of coach David Cortez at the Villa Olímpica Abraham Telchi. Her early dedication laid the foundation for a career marked by national dominance and resilience.
Career Highlights and National Dominance
Ríos Paz is Bolivia’s most decorated high jumper, holding multiple national records and titles:
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National Record Holder:
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High Jump: 1.75m (indoor, 2024) and 1.74m (outdoor, 2022), surpassing her previous mark of 1.73m (2019).
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Triple Jump: 11.78m (2017).
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Long Jump: 5.46m (2021).
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National Championships:
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Won seven consecutive national titles (2019–2024) in high jump, long jump, and triple jump.
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Undefeated in high jump at domestic competitions since 2019.
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Heptathlon and Relays: Competes in heptathlon and anchors Bolivia’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams, showcasing her versatility.
International Achievements
Ríos Paz has represented Bolivia at prestigious international events:
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South American Indoor Championships:
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2022 Guayaquil: Competed in high jump and triple jump.
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2024 Cochabamba: Placed 7th in high jump (1.75m), setting a new national indoor record.
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Ibero-American Championships (Spain, 2022): Gained exposure against elite competitors.
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South American Games (Paraguay, 2022): Contributed to Bolivia’s athletics contingent.
Technical Profile and Training
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High Jump Technique: Employs the Fosbury Flop, refined through rigorous drills and video analysis.
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Training Regimen: Balances plyometrics, sprint work, and strength conditioning under coach Cortez.
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Multi-Event Proficiency: Competes in heptathlon (PB: ~4,500 points), 100m hurdles (15.0s), and javelin (30m+).
Challenges and Resilience
Ríos Paz’s journey has been marked by financial and logistical hurdles:
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Funding Struggles: In 2021, she sold homemade pastries (“brazos gitanos”) to finance her trip to the South American Championships in Ecuador, where she ranked 8th in high jump.
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Limited Resources: Trains in Santa Cruz’s modest facilities, relying on community support and personal grit.
Legacy and Impact
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Inspiration: Her success has revitalized interest in jumps among Bolivian youth, with registrations rising in Santa Cruz clubs.
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Advocacy: Uses social media (@lorenariospaz) to share training insights and advocate for athlete funding.
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National Pride: Part of Bolivia’s elite athletics squad, alongside Olympians like Bruno Rojas (sprints) and Ángela Castro (racewalking).
Future Trajectory
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2028 Los Angeles Olympics: Aims to qualify by surpassing the 1.80m barrier in high jump.
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Continental Goals: Targets podium finishes at the 2025 South American Championships and 2026 South American Games.
Conclusion
Lorena Ríos Paz embodies perseverance in Bolivian athletics-a record-shattering high jumper who defies limited resources to compete globally. From selling pastries to fund her career to breaking national records, her journey underscores the transformative power of passion and resilience. As she eyes Olympic qualification, Ríos Paz remains a beacon of hope for Bolivia’s next generation
Go Lorena!
