Sandra Arenas Claims Colombia’s First-Ever Olympic Medal in Women’s 20 Kilometer Walk at Tokyo Games

2020 Tokyo Games

The third time’s the charm for Sandra Arenas.

The 27-year-old Colombian race walker and three-time Olympian claimed the silver medal in the women’s 20 kilometer walk competition at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Sandra Arenas

Arenas completed the race with a time of 1:29:37 to give Colombia its first-ever medal in this modality.

“The truth is I feel very happy. I worked very hard for this, and I’ve dreamed about it for years,” says Arenas of her silver, which she dedicated to those who never believed in her.

Italy’s Antonella Palmisano claimed top spot after producing a sensational performance and finishing in a time of 1:29:12.

Sandra Arenas

Drama in the late stages saw defending champion Liu Hong grasp bronze from the hands of Brazil’s Erica Rocha de Sena, who could only watch on in despair from the penalty box.

It’s a dramatic improvement for Arenas at the Olympics… She’s previously placed 32nd in the women’s 20 kilometer road walk competition at both the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio Games.