Pereira, Colombia – Lina Ríos, a four-time national champion in judo, is redefining the concept of a sporting career. At years old, she’s not stepping away from competition, but actively building a future in sports administration and education, currently pursuing a degree in Sports and Recreation. Ríos’s journey, rooted in a childhood move from Ulloa, Valle del Cauca, to Pereira, exemplifies a dedication to not just achieving athletic success, but to fostering the next generation of Colombian judokas.
Ríos’s introduction to judo came in seventh grade at the Cooperative school. “My family, in search of better opportunities, decided to move to the city of Pereira when I was three years old,” she explained. “Already in seventh grade, they went to talk about judo. I arrived at the coliseum and visually fell in love with this sport and I stayed there. I started practicing it from the age of .” That initial spark ignited a competitive fire that has seen her rise through the ranks, culminating in multiple national and international accolades.
Her record at the National Games is particularly impressive. Ríos has secured gold medals in (two medals), (one medal), (two medals) and . Beyond national dominance, she’s also a multiple-time Pan American champion and has consistently ranked among the world’s top ten judokas. “Thank God I have been able to be a four-time champion of the National Games,” Ríos said. “I have also been able to be Pan American champion on multiple occasions and be in the first places of the top 10 worldwide.”
What sets Ríos apart isn’t simply her athletic achievements, but her simultaneous transition into coaching. She remains an active athlete, recently winning the national championship in the Pregames last year, but is equally committed to sharing her knowledge and experience. This dual role allows her to contribute to the sport on multiple levels, shaping both her own competitive trajectory and the development of aspiring athletes in the Risaralda league.
Ríos’s decision to pursue formal education in Sports and Recreation reflects a deliberate effort to broaden her impact. Initially studying Industrial Engineering, she realized her true calling lay within the world of athletics. “I studied Industrial Engineering and I thought that was going to be my career, but life was taking me more and more to what I have always been doing, which is sport, and I have seen that there I found my true happiness,” she stated. This shift underscores a growing trend among athletes who recognize the importance of administrative and educational roles in sustaining and advancing their sports.
Her path hasn’t been without obstacles. Ríos has overcome significant injuries, including a clavicle fracture and a particularly challenging ankle fracture that involved a fractured fibula and ligament damage. “When I was little I had a clavicle fracture and the last one I had to go through, perhaps the one that stopped me the longest and was the most tortuous so to speak, was an ankle fracture, I fractured my fibula and destroyed all my ligaments,” she recounted. Remarkably, she returned to competition just three months after the ankle fracture, securing a bronze medal at the Pan American Games – a testament to her resilience and unwavering dedication.
Currently, Ríos dedicates her time to coaching at the Risaraldense Judo League, holding classes seven days a week at the combat coliseum within the Olympic Village. Her commitment extends beyond daily training sessions; she’s actively involved in initiatives to elevate the standard of judo instruction in the region. The League is currently hosting a national kata judging course and the first international kata practice camp in Pereira, demonstrating a proactive approach to development and international collaboration.
Kata, the formalized prearranged forms within judo, are receiving increased attention. The national judging course and international practice camp signify a focused effort to improve the technical proficiency and understanding of kata within Colombia. This emphasis on kata complements the more dynamic randori (free practice) and competition aspects of the sport, fostering a more well-rounded skillset among athletes and coaches.
Ríos’s vision extends beyond personal accolades and competitive success. She aims to leave a lasting legacy by empowering future generations of judokas. “I want to leave a legacy that goes beyond my triumphs, but rather to transmit all this experience that I have had and all the knowledge to new generations,” she explained. This commitment to mentorship and education positions her as a pivotal figure in the continued growth and development of judo in Risaralda and throughout Colombia.
Her story is a compelling example of an athlete recognizing the broader impact they can have on their sport. Ríos isn’t simply retiring her gi; she’s actively shaping the future of judo, blending her competitive experience with a dedication to education and administration. This holistic approach promises to benefit the Risaralda league and the wider Colombian judo community for years to come. The ongoing kata initiatives, coupled with Ríos’s coaching and educational pursuits, represent a significant investment in the long-term health and vitality of the sport.
