Colombian judoka Erika Lasso is setting her sights on the Los Ángeles 2028 Olympic Games following her appearance at Paris 2024, building a career fueled by grassroots family sacrifices and international podium finishes, EL ESPECTADOR reported.
Financing the Journey from Jamundí
Long before representing Colombia on the international stage, Lasso relied on neighborhood sales to fund her travel. At 15 years old, when her first opportunity to compete abroad in Panama arose, her mother financed the trip by cooking and selling lechona from their restaurant. For subsequent competitions, including a Pan American tournament in Costa Rica, the family prepared and sold 400 portions of arroz con leche. Lasso walked the streets of Jamundí, Valle del Cauca, carrying a metal tray, later using a borrowed bicycle to transport the desserts until every portion was sold. Her mother and grandmother always found a way to support her aspirations, with her mother stepping in to take on dual parental roles. When she received her monetary reward for her gold medal at the Bolivarian Games, she immediately used the funds to help her mother pay off various debts.
Discovering the Sport in School
Lasso’s introduction to judo occurred at age 10 through school physical education classes taught by Ruperto Guaúña. What initially started as a hobby evolved into a professional pursuit under Guaúña’s guidance, transforming the sport into a lifelong project. Between 2015 and 2016, she competed in her first senior national championship before making her breakthrough at the 2017 Bolivarian Games in Santa Marta, where she claimed a gold medal in the 44-kilogram category.
Este gesto de la Judoca Colombiana Erika Lasso en los Panamericanos @santiago2023 la hizo merecedora al reconocimiento al Juego Limpio en los Premios @PanamSports en ceremonia realizada este fin de semana en Miami con 71 países participantes 🇨🇴🥋 pic.twitter.com/4Cp8nPhej3
Continental Medals and Academic Milestones
As her international schedule expanded, Lasso established herself within the senior national team across the -48 kilogram division. Her recent competitive record includes a gold medal at the Open Panamericano de Judo in Lima, a bronze at the Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe de Santo Domingo, and a silver medal at the Open Panamericano en San Salvador. Alongside her athletic training, she completed her university degree in business administration.
Representing Colombia at Paris 2024
Lasso competed as the only judoka representing Colombia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Looking ahead, her immediate athletic preparation centers on qualifying for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Ángeles, alongside a commitment to mentoring younger athletes in the discipline.
Dos oros para Colombia en Lima 🥇🥇🇨🇴Erika Lasso (-48 kg) y Ferney Ruiz (-73 kg) se consagraron campeones del Open Panamericano de Judo 2026. 🥋🔗 https://t.co/RatKlYQsOj pic.twitter.com/yIYzfZsBr6
Developing New Talent in Bogotá
From October 19 to 23, the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Bogotá hosted 76 athletes as part of the Escuela de Talentos project. The initiative, organized by the Ministerio del Deporte with backing from the Comité Olímpico Colombiano and the Federación Colombiana de Judo, brought together 25 girls and 51 boys from Quindío, Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Norte de Santander, and Santander. Participants engaged in technical training, physical preparation, nutrition workshops, and emotional regulation sessions alongside three national federation coaches and Yuri Alvear.
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