Catherine Ibarguen became the seventh-ever Colombian Female Athlete of the Year at a ceremony held in Bogota Tuesday.
The reigning olympic silver-medalist in the triple jump recently took home gold in the same event at the Moscow World Athletic Championships, giving her the edge over fellow olympic medalists Maria Pajon, who won gold in BMX biking, and Yuri Alvear, who won a bronze in judo, in the considerations for the annual national honor.
MORE: Colombia gets gold in triple jump at World Athletics Championships in Moscow
In what has been a strong year for Colombian females in global athletics, and a strong year for Colombia in general, Ibarguen also beat out nominees such as Jackeline Renteria (wrestling), Sara Lopez (archery), Mariana Duque (tennis), Lorena Arenas (speed walking), Erika Abril (distance running), Kelly Martinez (skating) and Manuela Vazquez (auto-racing).
Alvear, Renteria and Pajon had won the award previously.
The Female Athlete of the Year is given annually — between June and June of concurrent calendar years — to the Colombian athlete who best represents the country on and off competition.
Ibarguen said she was “extremely proud” to win the award, which she dedicated to her mother and grandmother.
The Colombian trackstar indicated she would spend time visiting with family before returning to Puerto Rico, where she trains and studies on a scholarship grant.