Jessica Lucero began her weightlifting career at the age of 14. She was a member of Team USA and competed in the -58kg (sometimes -59kg) weight class. Her accolades include three America records, a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Championships, and gold medals at four United States Weightlifting (USAW) National Championships.
She took to her Instagram page yesterday to announce her retirement from the sport.
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“RETIRED — you may ask why even announce it and my answer will be to me this is world changing. I’ve spent over half my life as a competitive athlete with one goal: qualify for the Olympics. To decide this turns my life completely upside down.”
Lucero set American records for the snatch and total at the 2016 USAW National Championships, and for the clean & jerk at the 2017 USAW National Championships, both of which she won. Here were her American record stats:
2016 National Championships
- Snatch — 93kg/205lb
- Total — 208kg/458.5lb
Check out the video below from Team USA’s YouTube channel that displays Lucero hitting a 93kg snatch from the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd2vkmZj5J0
2017 USAW National Championships
- Clean & Jerk — 116kg/256lb
If you missed that lift, you can see it below courtesy of USA Weightlifting’s Instagram page:
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“I feel I have had a very successful career, not perfect by any means but successful nonetheless and I will miss being on stage in a singlet testing my preparation and competing against myself.
am very proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish because I know I had to work my BUTT OFF for every single kilo I put on my total, every single medal that was put around my neck I EARNED through dedication and worth ethic. I have given EVERYTHING to this sport.
But, at the end of the day… there is more to life than weightlifting and I don’t want to be the athlete that cannot see they’re not progressing and hold on for too long. I’m almost 31 years old and it’s time to walk away from that piece of me.”
FAQs
Who is Jessica Lucero?
Jessica Lucero is an accomplished American weightlifter who competed in the -58kg weight class.
She is a 3-time American record holder and won four USAW national championships.
How old was Jessica Lucero when she retired?
Jessica Lucero retired from competitive weightlifting at age 30 ending a 14 year career.
Feature image from Jessica Lucero’s Instagram page: @jessicalucero9