Carlos Andica road to 205Kg Clean and Jerk- Part 1

In November, Carlos Andica did what many did not think was possible.  He successfully clean and jerked in Competition 205 Kg as an 85Kg athlete, at the 2011 Pan Am Games.  To put into perspective, this is more than what Pyrros Dimas, the greatest 85kg lifter in history, clean and jerked in the 2004 Olympic Games.  Carlo's journey to 205kg was not an easy one.

On approach to Armenia

Carlos grew up from very humble beginnings in Armenia, Colombia.  Armenia is a large city that lies in a river valley,  nestled between mountains in the Northern half of Colombia. The mountains are large and green; near their bases they are covered in coffee fields, cattle grazing areas and tropical trees near their bases.  The weather is warm and mild, not nearly as humid as the Colombian city of  Medellin and much warmer than Bogota.

Shacks along the River where Carlos fished as a child

Near the river begins the story of a champion.  It was along this river where Carlos used to fish with his father as a child.  They did not fish for sport, rather they fished for a nutritious food source.  Carlos grew-up in poverty, extreme by US standards, as Colombia does not have the same infrastructure and social support system that the US or other developed countries have. Despite, these tough conditions, Carlos's family worked hard to improve their situation.

On the positive, Colombia has community sports programs that are open to urban youths.  When Carlos was 14, a classmate brought him to the weightlifting gym in Armenia.  Immediately, Carlos became in love with the sport and started training.  The weightlifting program offers an outlet to youths like Carlos.  Often, children are given food and a small stipend as incentive to continue.  He would go to training before and after school each day.