Rentería Becomes Colombia’s Most Decorated Female Olympian

London Olympics 2012

Jackeline Rentería Castillo has a matching set of medals following her performance at the 2012 Olympic Games

The 26-year-old Colombian wrestler claimed the bronze medal in women’s wrestling on Thursday in the freestyle (55kg) category by defeating Ukraine’s Tatyana Lazareva.

Jackeline Rentería

Rentería, who failed to make it to the event’s final round after losing a tight match to Canada’s Tonya Lynn Verbeek, had to put up a serious fight to beat Lazareva.

When the final buzzer sounded, dozens of her compatriots cheered in the stands while Rentería ‘s coach jumped onto the canvas to embrace her and offer her a Colombian flag, which she proudly wrapped around herself.

Jackeline Rentería

“In the first place, I want to give infinite thanks to God,” said Rentería . “He promised me a long time ago that he was going to give me titles and this year he has given them to me. And here I am, thanks to him, celebrating this medal.”

Rentería could be experiencing a case of déjà vu… She won a bronze medal in the same category at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Jackeline Rentería

By repeating the feat at the London Games, she ties sport shooter Helmut Bellingrodt as the most decorated Colombian Olympians with two medals each.

“It’s a joy for me to be the first woman to do it and I also hope to be the first to get three,” said Rentería. “The road goes on and I’m already looking to Rio de Janeiro [the site of the 2016 Olympic Games].”