“Heartbreaking,” is how Team USA’s Jourdan Delacruz described her exit from Tokyo 2020. Three years ago, the 26-year-old bombed out of the Tokyo Olympics after failing all three clean-and-jerk attempts. The weightlifter left Tokyo within six days of her arrival as the last-place finisher in the 49 kg category. While the former cheerleader redeemed herself in many ways in Paris, it just wasn’t enough.

In these three years, Delacruz made many improvements. Winning bronze at last year’s World Championships in Riyadh was a huge boost. However, even after a career-best 111 kg clean-and-jerk, the USA representative had to settle for a fifth-place finish. “Bittersweet,” was how she described her performance on Wednesday at the Paris South Arena.

While the clean-and-jerk had been her undoing in Tokyo, this time it was the snatch that robbed the 3x Pan-Am champion. Jourdan Delacruz could only manage an 84 kg max snatch. “I wanted to be on that podium, but there’s been so much going behind the scenes that I’ve been fighting all day, so that was the final nail in the coffin for me.” Delacruz told Dallas Morning News.

Although she wanted to do a “lot more,” Delacruz knew she lost the bronze medal even before the contest ended. When all was said and done, the 26-year-old ended her Paris Olympic campaign with a total of 195 kg total. She was five kilograms behind bronze medalist Surodchana Khambao of Thailand, and 11 kilograms behind Chinese gold medalist Hou Zhihui.

The Paris Olympics was Jourdan Delacruz’s second outing, and at 26, the American is entering the twilight of her career. Coach Spencer Arnold labeled the weightlifter’s 111 kg clean-and-jerk as the

“capstone” of her career. “I think it was important to her go out that way,” said Arnold. However, there she decided to retire or not, one thing is for sure, the former cheerleader has created a legacy beyond accolades.

Jourdan Delacruz shattered stereotypes in strength sports

The former Wylie East cheerleader’s pivot to weightlifting was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Delacruz grew up with sports, and her gymnastics roots led her to excel in competitive cheerleading. However, it wasn’t until she joined a CrossFit gym to improve her strength that she fell in love with weight lifting. However, the 4’11”, 107 lbs frame that seemed perfect for acrobatics attracted surprised looks in weightlifting.

“I mean, on my way here, people would ask me what sport I’m in and I’d say weightlifting. And they look me up and down,” said the Olympian. “I’ve redefined what a weightlifter looks like… The stereotypes are changing,” added Jourdan Delacruz. Maybe that’s why the 26-year-old hoped to earn a podium finish so desperately. Not only would that be a dream come true, but challenge the stereotype even more.

Although Delacurz isn’t happy with her performance in Paris, Arnold said she would look back fondly on this achievement. Yet, it remains to be seen if the 26-year-old is ready to hang up the gloves or wants to give it one more shot at LA 2028.