In a vibrant display of talent and determination, Shantallee Victoria Barrios Bonalde, first semester student of Basic Primary Education at the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), has won the bronze medal in the Pan American U17 Women’s Wrestling Championship. The event, held in Niteroí, Rio de Janeiro, has witnessed the rise of this promising young woman who, with her achievement, not only exalts her alma mater but also all of Colombia.
From the university classrooms to the international tatami, Shantallee demonstrated an unbreakable spirit. Representing Colombia in the women’s 65 kg freestyle category, her participation was dazzling. Each bout was a show of dedication and skill, culminating in a moment of pure emotion when she beat Ecuador’s Allison Ojeda with a resounding 10-0 win, securing her place on the podium.
“For me it is very important to represent Colombia and the university so that they see that there really is talent and that they support more athletes who are in the process,” said Shantallee Barrios, highlighting the importance of supporting national sport.
Although the gold went to Violettea Lasure of the United States and the silver to Luz Ariana Cuauro Álvarez of Venezuela, Shantallee’s bronze has a special shine, reflecting countless hours of training, silent sacrifices and an unwavering faith in her abilities.
Eliana Bonalde, UIS Chair professor and mother of Shantallee, expressed her pride: “It is a source of pride to see the achievements that my daughter has obtained in her career as a wrestler”. She also highlighted Shantallee’s excellent performance not only in the Pan American, but also in different national competitions, where she has won three gold medals in competitions in Rionegro (2023), Huila (2024) and Risaralda (2025).
Fabio Alberto Villafrades, director of the Department of Physical Education and Sports at UIS, underlined the relevance of the young athlete’s achievement: “We know that it is not easy to practice some sports that are not as commercialized as others; and Shantallee is a young figure with an international projection”.
But the story of this young champion does not end here. With her bronze medal, Shantallee not only brought honor to her university and her country, but also secured a spot for the U-17 World Championship in Greece, which will take place from July 28 to August 3, 2025. The UIS and all of Colombia unite in a single cry of support and excitement, ready to see Shantallee Victoria Barrios Bonalde continue to write her inspiring story on the world stage!
