Children of Las Joyas represent Guanajuato in the National Games

Lion-. No one thought they would get to where they are. "They hardly know us," says Paola Núñez Solís, 15, an athlete from the Las Joyas neighborhood, who has carried more than 90 kilos with weightlifting. Just like her, there are three other kids who "broke" her in the Weightlifting competition at the CONADE 2021 National Games, representing Guanajuato and winning 8 medals.

Carlos Gomez, 17 years old; Julio Vargas, 16; Paola Núñez Solís, 15, and Nelly Oliva Ramos, 14, are residents of the Las Joyas neighborhood, a coastal area of ​​León that has been stigmatized by vandalism, drug addiction, and the lack of basic services. The northern neighborhood that many people do not turn to see, saw the growth of four talented boys and girls who see sports as their life.

Carlos Gómez, 17, one of the four competitors

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From May 31 to July 4, these teenagers competed nationally in two categories of Weightlifting, the Olympic sport that consists of weightlifting: snatch and clean. In those categories they lifted between 90 and 120 kilos. Some took a medal for winning one of the categories, others up to three for accumulating the snatch, clean and jerk and the total.

Paola won 3 of the 8 medals. The 15-year-old girl confessed the pride that represents the city with sports, and even more so a neighborhood that fights against the prejudices of the Leonese themselves.

Paola Núñez Solís, 15 years old, won 3 medals, for the snatch, clean and jerk, and total categories

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Seeing that her brother practiced Weightlifting caught his attention. She showed the strength that a girl can have in the Olympic sport, she started lifting weights from the age of 9.

"I started going (to train), at the same time I didn't like it, but little by little I got excited and I stayed, and so far everything I've achieved (...) I'm going to train for 7 years."

For her neighbors and the adolescents of León, she only has one message: "if you want to achieve something, fight for your dreams." Paola's new goal is to participate in the next Olympics "but also to continue working to have a good result, win more medals", she confesses.

Carlos Gómez, 17, is not far from Paola's idea. His partner says that it is "very nice" to be one of the exponents of this sport in Las Joyas, an area where "assaults are very common."

In the center is coach Rodolfo Hernández Ramírez, who guides them every day at the 'Escuela Vanguardia' in Las Joyas

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The boy who has lifted up to 191 kilos in deadlift (a technique to raise the bar from the ground to the waist) today is proud of his result, despite the fact that this time he fainted in training and had to rest for two months . His love for the sport goes beyond an injury. Weights have no limit for him.

With the convincing voice and attitude of an adult, Carlos remains firm in weightlifting.

"We have recovered and that's it, here you can see the results."

Nelly Oliva, 14, has been training in weightlifting for 3 years

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At the age of 14, Nelly Oliva was encouraged to lift weights because of the motivation of her friends, they told her "you should go to train". Over time, this sport meant a lot to her, it's been 3 years of "dedication" and "effort". She talks about how "underrated" the Las Joyas neighborhood is, when she actually hides talented teenagers.

Nelly has just entered high school and advises young people not to give up her "passion" to practice the sport she likes.

A few meters from her, and in the same gym, is Julio Vargas, 16, who confesses that most of her neighbors "take drugs or have vices." He has struggled with multiple shortcomings to make his dream come true. The guy has lifted between 93 and 119 kg. With a huge smile and a hopeful look, Julio sees his current reality as a utopia.

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Rodolfo Hernández Ramírez is the coach who has polished the talent of these four boys and girls. He guides them every day at the 'Escuela Vanguardia' located in Las Joyas. He says that a hard and disciplinary training are the bases to climb in the sports world.

The one who has been at all times, and to whom they now thank him, accepts that this work includes many people, from parents, sponsors, directors of the school where they train, and the Government. This group of people, in addition to the "brands" of the athletes, direct them to national participation.

Paola, Nelly, Carlos, and Julio represented Region 2 Central South of Guanajuato.

To recognize the efforts of athletes and as a promoter of local talent, the Factory Shops company donated gifts to teenagers to continue their performance. The boys were motivated by receiving new sneakers, backpacks, t-shirts and accessories. The company of the Airport Boulevard lent the facilities of its gym so that they could train, this Friday.

PHOTOS: THE BROKEN CHAIR