Guatemala’s first Olympic medal ever – “Bad luck is over!”

Who would have ever said that a piece of Guatemala’s history was going to be written as far as at the Sport School of Singapore, 10000 km far from the pacific shores of the Central American country?

Probably nobody.

But this is what happened today, as the 16-year old shooter Geraldine Kate Solorzano Manson won the 10m Air Pistol Women Bronze medal, the first Olympic medal ever won by Guatemala since it’s first participation in Olympic competitions, in 1952.

“This is an historical result for Guatemala!” commented the President of the Guatemalan National Olympic Committee, Gen. Segio Arnoldo Camargo Muralles, right after the match.

“We had been close to an Olympic medal many times, in 2004 and in 2008, but we never made it” continued Gen. Camargo Muralles “But finally the bad luck is over, thanks to this young girl!”

Geraldine Kate Solorzano Manson did everything she could to bring the medal back to Guatemala City. Qualified for the medal match with 374 points, she climbed in third place, fighting right to the last shot and further more against the Chinese shooter Fang Xue, and eventually finishing in third place with a total score of 471.5 points.

Guatemala first participated in the Olympics at 1952 Games in Oslo, and then competed in all Summer Olympic Games since 1968 and in one winter Olympics in 1988. In spite of several excellent placements, the  Central American country had never won a medal in an Olympic event so far.

“This is an exceptional result our Guatemalan friends, and for the American Continent. It has been an exciting final, the match has been open right to the last shot!” said the ISSF President Olegario Vazquez Raña, hugging the medallist after the award ceremony “The Youth Olympic Games are proving to be an outstanding sport events, and an incredible chance for our young athletes.”

“Congratulation to Guatemala. And congratulation to all the participants: they are proving to be real sportsmen!” concluded the ISSF President.