Érika Lasso: A True Example of Judoka Values

The Valle del Cauca judoka Érika Lasso. / Nelson Sierra G.

Courage, modesty and friendship are some of the ethical values ​​of judo. Érika Lasso has shown that she is faithful to them and that she is an example to follow in this discipline.

Born in Jamundí, Valle del Cauca, Érika Lasso came across judo one day when she was 10 years old. It was like those coincidences in her life, which can also change her course.

At her school, Rosa Lía Mafla, she did not waste her daring and competitive spirit even for a moment. She participated in team sports such as basketball, soccer and volleyball, but if she was told that whoever jumped the rope the most won, she was there, first. She always had a greater interest in individual sports.

Her physical education teacher and who in the future would be her trainer, Ruperto Guauña, gave Érika that push towards the “path of flexibility” or the “gentle path”. He gave him his first judogi, a characteristic costume for this martial art, and began giving him classes. Every Tuesday and Friday she took her to the dojo, which according to the Colombian Judo Federation (Fecoljudo), is the temple “for the education of the body, intelligence and spirit.” It is usually a well-lit, clean place, full of air and vitality.

Naturally, little Erika found it fun: “Everything was a little wheel, a roll, I had a great time.” Then she didn’t know that what started as a game would end up becoming her life project. Around that time her grandfather died, and things began to get complicated. Erika no longer wanted to have anything to do with any sport, she was lazy about everything. She didn’t go back to school for a year and a half, until one day she did so by pure chance. “I came back and stayed there until the sun today,” she says.

Gratitude, another ethical value of judo, is also manifested in this athlete. During the five years that he has practiced this sport, he has been grateful from the bottom of his heart for having crossed paths with him. In his words: “I have achieved personal, sporting and academic goals. Thanks to judo I was able to study. I feel very happy to look back and see everything I have achieved. I think they are opportunities that God gives one, and so far I have known how to take advantage of them.”

And indeed, the judoka has seen the fruits of those opportunities that she has taken in her hands and that she has not let escape. Of course, with a lot of effort and dedication. This 2023 she spent almost seven months training and participating in competitions far from her home, far from her mother and her grandmother. Although it is difficult, Érika recognizes the importance of discipline and how that makes the difference between fulfilling your goals or not. She has also been determined and, in the midst of a context of violence, consumption and excess, she chose judo.

One of her role models is Yuri Alvear, a Colombian Olympic medalist who has been her coach for almost three years. Érika affirms that through Yuri’s experience she has been able to identify that, after you are clear about what you want in life, things will happen. “It is very nice to have her next to her, it is very nice to listen to her and that now she is going through that, what she experienced at some point: triumphs, medals and recognitions.”

But above all, Erika is a complete human being. He is the living representation of what judo means. This was demonstrated during the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, when he had a gesture that moved the spectators, and even made my eyes glaze over. Although there is a rivalry inside the tatami (the mat where the fights take place), outside of it the athletes remain companions.

Estefanía Soriano, a Dominican judoka, was her opponent on that occasion. They already knew each other before, they had shared in Hungary and Spain. They are companions. During the match Estefanía injured her knee, but she tried to continue fighting firmly. “I really appreciate that with love and bravery he tried to get ahead,” says Érika. “When the referee points me out as the winner, I’m going to give her hand and help her walk, but she couldn’t even move her leg. So, since there is that type of trust, I tell him: ‘Parce, get on here because otherwise you will never reach the shore.’”

Immediately afterwards, in a show of solidarity, the judoka carries Estefanía on her shoulders. The world applauds. In a society that seems to be becoming less and less friendly, Erika is a ray of hope. As she herself says, what good would it be for him to be the best athlete if he is not an empathetic person? This is also how Fecoljudo resolves it: “Friendship is the purest of human feelings.”

2023-12-17 01:35:50
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