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Jainer Rafael Cantillo Guette

Colombian flag
Colombia
Powerlifting

Jainer Cantillo, or the ‘Human Rock’ as he is known, has been one of the best Americas powerlifters for the last decade.

The Colombian participates in the highly-competitive men’s up to 80kg category but still managed to finish in fifth place at the Mexico City 2017 World Championships.

He was also on the verge of claiming his first Paralympic medal at Rio 2016 as he ended in fourth position.

In 2015, he secured the Americas Open Championships title in the men’s up to 72kg. Four months later, he again reached the top of the podium at the Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

When he is at trainings or competitions, Cantillo enjoys listening to heavy metal music.

He initially took up Para athletics but had to quit because of the high cost of competition wheelchairs. After trying wheelchair basketball, he was advised to get involved in powerlifting.

Biography

Impairment information

Origin of Impairment
Acquired

Further personal information

Family
Daughter Liliana
Residence
Bogotá, COL
Occupation
Athlete
Languages
Spanish

Sport specific information

When and where did you begin this sport?
He began lifting weights at age 16.
Why this sport?
He initially took up Para athletics but had to quit because of the high cost of competition wheelchairs. After trying wheelchair basketball, he was advised to get involved in powerlifting. "I liked the adrenaline rush while lifting weights."
Club / Team
Club Arcangeles: Bogotá, COL
Name of coach
Freddy Jerez [personal]

International debut

Year
2007
Competing for
Colombia
Tournament
Parapan American Games
Location
Rio de Janeiro, BRA

General interest

Nicknames
La Roca Humana [The Human Rock]. (deportesrcn.com, 21 Jul 2016)
Hobbies
Reading, writing, composing music. (Athlete, 13 Jul 2019; paralympic.org, 30 Jun 2018)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning gold in the middleweight category at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Athlete, 13 Jul 2019; paralympic.org, 09 Aug 2015)
Most influential person in career
His daughter. (Athlete, 13 Jul 2019)
Hero / Idol
Colombian Para swimmer Moises Fuentes. (Athlete, 13 Jul 2019)
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs
He likes to listen to heavy metal music while he is training or at competitions. (paralympic.org, 30 Jun 2018)
Other sports
He has competed in Para athletics at national level in Colombia. (idrd.gov.co, 01 Jun 2016)
Ambitions
To win a medal at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (idrd.gov.co, 01 Jun 2016)
Impairment
His impairment is a result of the effects of polio. He contracted the illness as a child. (Athlete, 13 Jul 2019; noticiasuno.com, 02 Apr 2010)

Results

Unit Date Rank
Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games (Beijing, China)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Men's -60 kg Final Round 6
2010 IPC Powerlifting World Championships (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Men's Up to 60.00kg Final 2010-07-27 9999
London 2012 Paralympic Games (London, Great Britain)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Men's -67.5 kg Final Round 2012-09-02 4
2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Men's Up to 72.00 kg MD Final 2014-04-07 9999
Rio 2016 Paralympic Games (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Men's -80 kg Final Round 2016-09-12 4
Mexico City 2017 World Para Powerlifting Championships (Mexico City, Mexico)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Men's Up to 80.00kg Final 2017-12-05 5

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