Mercedes Pérez finished fourth in weightlifting and claims Olympic diploma.
Day four of the Olympic Games in Rio finished without medals but two weightlifters just missing out on the bronze medal, John Bartlett gives his view on what happened today and what you should watch tomorrow
Day three was a mixed bag for Colombian athletes, as brave performances all round were not quite good enough to follow in Óscar Figueroa glorious footsteps in mounting the podium.
Related: Óscar Figueroa wins Olympic gold
This fighting spirit was personified by Mercedes Pérez in the women’s 63kg weightlifting, who secured an excellent 4th place and only narrowly missed out on a bronze medal.
In the men’s 69kg competition, Luis Javier Mosquera pushed Kyrgyzstan’s Izzat Artykov right until the end; although eventually finishing in 4th place himself. China’s gold medalist Shi Zhiyong and second-placed Daniyar Ismayilov of Turkey, were some way ahead, however.
John Rodríguez – whose namesake at the Bogotá Post, John Bartlett, had boldly tipped to beat Ukrainian opponent Dmytro Karyuchenko – did just that, winning his match 15-7. He was competitive for much of his 15-8 defeat by Geza Emre in the next round – and there was no shame in losing to the eventual silver medalist from Hungary.
The women’s football team upset all odds in scrapping for a 2-2 draw against reigning Olympic and World champions, the USA. Two goals from set pieces by Catalina Usme – with the help of some suspect goalkeeping, it must be said – contributed to an assured performance having been beaten by New Zealand just a few days ago.
Boxer Jorge Luis Vivas also fought bravely as he lost to Cameroon’s Wilfred Seyi in split decision, 2-1. At 28 years of age, he could just about have another Olympics in him.
There was disappointment however for Colombia’s archers, as Ana María Rendón went out in the first round of the individual competition and Natalia Sánchez finished 48th. They are already out of the team competition.
In the pool, Jorge Mario Murillo clocked 2:12.81 in the men’s 200m breaststroke; but this wasn’t good enough to see him through to a semi-final.
Highlight of the day:
Aside from the diving pool turning bright green and nobody quite knowing why; it would be harsh to separate the achievements of Mercedes Pérez and Luis Javier Mosquera in the weightlifting, who both secured impressive 4th place finishes. Colombia’s weightlifters have surpassed themselves at Rio 2016.
One to watch tomorrow:
Without a doubt, Yuri Alvear. The 30-year-old judoka is a three-time world champion in her division – all of Colombia will be tuned in to see how she gets on. Also keep an eye on Dutch-Colombian fencer Saskia van Erven Garcia, making her second appearance at the Olympic Games after London 2012.
Related: Yuri Alvear, “I am confident I can win the title”
What’s on tomorrow? (All times Colombia)
| 7.13 am | Individual men’s archery: Andrés Pila (COL) vs. Khairul Anuar Mohamad (MAS) |
| 8.00 am | Women’s individual foil, Round of 64: Saskia van Erven Garcia (COL) vs. Aida Mohamed (EGY) |
| 9.15 am | Boxing men’s flyweight Yuberjen Martínez (COL) vs. Samuel Carmona (Spa) |
| 9.38 am | Women’s judo, Yuri Alvear (COL) vs. tbd |
| 11.25 pm | Men’s 200m backstroke, heat 3, Omar Pinzon |
| 1.30 pm | Women’s weightlifting 69kg, Leidy Solis |
| 2.00 pm | Jossimar Calvo (COL) Gymnastics all around final |
| 2.44 pm | Carolina Aguirre (COL) Women’s archery vs. Guendalina Sartori (ITA) |
| 5.00 pm | Men’s weightlifting 77kg, Andrés Caicedo |
| 5.00 pm | Men’s football, group B, Colombia vs. Nigeria |
By John Bartlett
