Colombian Yeison Lopez Smashes Three World Records in Panama

A Colombian weightlifter just rewrote the record books three times in one competition, and his country's sports ministry couldn't contain their excitement.

Yeison Lopez dominated the Pan American Championships in Panama City this weekend, setting world records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total weight at 88kg. The 2025 Colombian sportsperson of the year lifted a career-high 397kg total, leaving American silver medalist Hutton Boles 48kg behind.

"I am grateful mainly to God, for allowing me to live this wonderful experience," Lopez said after his triumph. His next target is even bigger: Olympic gold in Los Angeles after winning silver in Paris with a 390kg total.

The championships showcased breakthrough performances across the Americas. American Caden Cahoy, just 22, set a continental clean and jerk record with a 354kg total at 79kg, claiming his first senior victory despite missing three attempts.

Brazilian lifter Matheus Pessanha crossed the 400kg barrier for the first time after recovering from a knee injury. The 20-year-old made 408kg at 110kg, setting Pan American records in clean and jerk and total, thanks partly to a training camp funded by his national Olympic Committee.

American Olympic champion Olivia Reeves attempted to break the 69kg world records but came up short on three attempts. She still won convincingly with 262kg, finishing 15kg ahead of Colombia's Julieth Rodriguez and posting the competition's best individual points score.

Her teammate Miranda Ulrey bounced back from two failed snatch attempts to sweep continental records at 53kg with 216kg total. The former junior world champion at 59kg found new success in the lighter weight class.

The Ripple Effect

The championships proved that weightlifting excellence spans the entire Americas region. Ecuador's Lisseth Ayovi set a super-heavyweight record, Venezuela's Keydomar Vallenilla posted a continental snatch record with 389kg at 94kg, and Argentina's Maria Luz Casedevall claimed victory at 58kg.

Colombia topped both the men's and combined medals tables, while the United States led the women's competition. These victories represent years of dedication, recovered injuries, Olympic committee investments, and national pride coming together on one stage.

For Lopez, the three world records bring him one step closer to his "big dream" while proving that champions from every corner of the hemisphere can reach the highest levels of their sport.