With her infectious laugh and exuberant energy, Amalia Perez has been a fixture in the world of Paralympic powerlifting for more than three decades. Since the women’s category was first contested in Sydney 2000, she has never missed a podium finish at the Paralympic Games, winning gold in the last four events.
Perez is an icon of disability sports in her native Mexico and has also established herself as a passionate advocate for women’s powerlifting.
As she prepares for her seventh Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, she shows confidence in her performance, even as a new generation of competitors begins to challenge her place.
“I am very calm and very grateful. I have worked very hard and feel like I am in the top 10 in the world,” she said.
“But I know that the girls are already coming to me and it doesn’t bother me, in fact I like it a lot because I know that I have been a promoter of this discipline,” she continued. “I encourage all the generations that come after me.”
It will not be easy to dethrone Perez.
In May, she won gold in the women’s 67 kg weight class in the jump-off of 129 kilograms at the 2024 World Championships in Acapulco, Mexico, beating her younger compatriot Fatima Castellanos Rodriguez.
To achieve such achievements in disability sport, Perez stresses the importance of “las ganas,” a Spanish expression for unwavering determination. “You need the attitude and the discipline,” she stressed.
“And you are obviously not alone. You need a multi-professional team. When you work as a team, the result must always be positive,” said Perez, who is coached by her husband Jose Enrique Alvarado Paiz.
3x America’s champions 🥇🥇🥇
4x Paralympic Champion 🥇🥇🥇🥇
4x World Champion 🥇🥇🥇🥇Amalia Perez Vazquez 🇲🇽 is a winner.
WATCH her perform her best at 132 kg to claim another title #StLouis2022 #ParaPowerlifting @LoganUniversity @Paralympics pic.twitter.com/16i7NJSPic
— #ParaPowerlifting (@Powerlifting) July 9, 2022
Open a door
Perez says she faced challenges at a young age, but in her case, she almost didn’t even get the chance to try.
Her mother was six months pregnant when she had an accident and Perez was born prematurely. The doctor saw the baby’s condition and that the mother already had children and made an unusual suggestion.
“He told my mother she wouldn’t have time to take care of me and I would probably die within a year at the latest. He suggested injecting air into my heart so that I would no longer exist,” she said.
“My mother clung to me and now I am here.”
Perez, who uses a wheelchair, was diagnosed with a condition that affects joint movement and muscle strength. “They didn’t know what my disability was. There wasn’t much knowledge about it at the time. My mother told me I was born with my legs crossed.”
At the age of six, Perez began swimming as part of her rehabilitation and since then, sport has always been a part of her life.
“Disabled sport has changed my life in many ways. I feel more autonomous and independent. Instead of weakening me, it gives me strength,” she said.
“It helps me strive for more challenges and more goals. It makes me feel committed to the sport, my generation and my country.”
“Sport is a door, an alternative. It gives you a lot and allows you to take care of your health, eat better, concentrate better, develop discipline, develop values and, above all, have dreams, lots of dreams.”
As a little girl, she loved watching the Olympic Games on television with her brothers and parents, particularly admiring gymnast Nadia Comăneci, the talented Romanian who revolutionized gymnastics when she scored the first perfect 10 in Montreal in 1976.
“Mexico and the world were waiting the most to see Nadia. I saw her competing. I would say, ‘I want to be like Nadia one day.'”
Spotlight in the City of Light
Her career as a Paralympian began in 1991 at the National Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. When women’s powerlifting was introduced at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, she won silver in the 52 kg weight class.
She won silver again in Athens 2004, an experience she cherishes as one of her favorite Paralympic memories. Perez had just become a mother and had not expected to do so well.
“It was a motivation to have my daughter. Most importantly, it also shows that you don’t have to retire from sport or give up when you have the great opportunity to be a mother,” she said.
Another proud moment was the first Paralympic season in South America, which took place in Rio 2016. The crowds were loud and lively. “People went crazy when I competed and I went even crazier because I was super nervous and tense,” she said.
“I’m used to being cheered and applauded, but in Rio the stadium was really loud. I couldn’t concentrate because of all the energy. Beating Nigeria, a big competitor, and winning gold for my country is one of the things I’m most proud of.”
LATAM Support>>>
🇲🇽Amalia Pérez talks about the incredible support of Latin American fans that helped her win in Rio 2016 🥇.#ParaPowerlifting @Paralympics @COPAME pic.twitter.com/RTr9tMXL1b
— #ParaPowerlifting (@Powerlifting) July 25, 2024
Perez is looking forward to the return of spectators at Paris 2024 after missing them at Tokyo 2020, where she won gold in the women’s 61kg category. She also won gold at Beijing 2008 with a record 128kg and at London 2012 with 135kg.
“I want people to watch us, cheer us on, fill us with a lot of adrenaline and emotions,” she said. “Above all, we are grateful that the public is watching us and knowing our potential. We can’t wait to show our skills.”
Learn more about sitting volleyball and the 22 sports in the sports program of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Book your tickets for the Paralympic Games on the Paris 2024 ticket website.
