Colombian wrestler Elkin España claimed the gold medal in the men’s freestyle 57 kg category at the XX Bolivarian Games Ayacucho – Lima 2025, closing his nation’s participation in the wrestling competition this Tuesday at the Velódromo de la Videna. In a conversation with SportsIn, he reflected on the intense preparation that allowed him to compete at a weight he described as particularly demanding.
España explained that the final stretch before the event was especially challenging due to his late decision to move down a category, a change he made just three weeks before the tournament. “Right now, I’m congratulating him,” he said, referring to the version of himself as a child. “I’m congratulating him because about twenty days ago, maybe a month, I decided to drop to this weight, which is very hard for me. I went running, I trained day and night, because I practically trained day and night. So at this moment, I’m grateful to him because he motivated me from within to take this step.”
Dominance in the 57 kg freestyle category
The Colombian wrestler won both of his bouts by 10–0, displaying technical precision and tactical control throughout the competition. His performance added to the result of Carlos Izquierdo, who secured the silver medal in the 97 kg category, giving Colombia two podium finishes in wrestling during the Lima event.
España expressed his appreciation for the institutions that supported his participation. “First of all, I want to thank the country for considering me for these Bolivarian Games, thank the committee, all the medical staff hired for the Colombia team, thank my club, my coach Mario Izquierdo, who was always pushing me, and above all my family as the first support and God,” he said.
His performance is the result of a preparation process built on daily training, technical monitoring and a competitive environment that continues to strengthen in Colombia. His victory at the Bolivarian Games represents a boost within the sporting cycle, in a context where emerging talent in Colombian wrestling is gaining visibility.
Olympic wrestling in Colombia
Olympic wrestling in Colombia has a history that dates back to the mid-20th century, when the sport began to take shape in cities such as Barranquilla and Bogotá. Since then, the country has developed a competitive structure coordinated by the Colombian Wrestling Federation, which has enabled consistent participation in continental and world events across both freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines.
In recent years, Colombian wrestling has gained renewed momentum thanks to the emergence of new generations of athletes and results at regional competitions. Notable figures such as two-time Olympic medallist Jackeline Rentería helped elevate the sport’s visibility and strengthen its international standing. This context has supported the rise of talents such as Elkin España, whose recent performance forms part of an ongoing phase of technical and competitive growth within the country.
