Adriana Ruano, a former gymnast from Guatemala, suffered a spinal injury that ended her Olympic dreams in gymnastics. However, she made a strong comeback as a shooter and secured Guatemala’s first gold medal in the Olympics. Ruano was forced to switch sports after experiencing back pain during training for the 2011 world championships, leading to the discovery of six damaged vertebrae at just 16 years old.
Following a year of recovery and wearing a back brace, Ruano’s doctor suggested she try shooting as a less physically demanding sport. Despite initial frustration and despair, Ruano embraced the new opportunity, eventually excelling in the sport. Over a decade later, Ruano’s decision to pursue shooting paid off when she clinched the women’s trap gold medal with an Olympic record score of 45 out of 50.
A pivotal moment in Ruano’s journey back to elite-level sports came during her volunteer work at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she worked in shooting events. Inspired by the competition and her teammates, Ruano found a renewed passion for sports, leading her to compete in shooting at the highest level. Despite finishing 26th at the Tokyo Olympics and facing personal loss, Ruano arrived in Paris as the defending Pan-American Games champion.
Ruano’s gold medal victory comes a day after Jean Pierre Brol won bronze in the men’s trap, marking a historic achievement for Guatemala in the Olympics. Silvana Stanco claimed the silver medal with 40 points, while Penny Smith from Australia took home the bronze. Ruano’s success not only highlights her resilience and determination but also brings pride to her country, following Guatemala’s first medal since Erick Barrondo’s silver in race walking at the 2012 London Olympics.
