From Injury to Glory: The Unbelievable Journey of Adriana Ruano Oliva

Adriana Ruano Oliva, once an aspiring gymnast, faced an unexpected path to Olympic glory after a spinal injury at 16. Switching to trap shooting, she transcended early disdain and hardship, culminating in an historic Olympic gold for Guatemala. Her perseverance inspires amid numerous challenges.

Adriana Ruano Oliva, whose gymnastics career was cut short by a spinal injury at 16, resorted to volunteering at the 2016 Summer Games to experience the Olympic spirit.

Eight years later, she not only became Guatemala's first Olympic champion in trap shooting but also set a record in a sport she initially disliked. She won Guatemala's third-ever Olympic medal on Wednesday.

Faced with an uncertain future, Adriana turned to shooting on her doctor's advice. With the help of her brother's friend, she embraced the sport during a tough phase in her life. By 2020, she appeared in the Tokyo Games but faced emotional turmoil with her father's passing, vowing to honor him with a better performance at the Paris Games.

(With inputs from agencies.)