Canadian Maude Charron has completed every lifting task right in Paris 2024. From flag bearing to winning her second consecutive Olympic medal, she has got all covered. The Quebec native has won a silver medal in women’s 59 kg weightlifting at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Being the second Canadian weightlifter to win a gold medal at her debut Olympics after Christine Girard in 2012, the goal of her entry in Paris 2024 was to become the first Canadian to win two gold medals. However, the change from 63 kg to 59kg in three years proved counterproductive.
Paris 2024 Remains Controversial
Charon can be seen as the victim of two weight classes being eliminated between Tokyo and Paris which has seen many dreams being crushed due to controversies related to weight categories. 
Picking the initial attempt at the snatch portion at 101 kg, it took her a few trembling steps before she gained complete control. Despite this, she lifted 104 kg and 106 kg, showing that a podium stroll isn’t out of the question for her.
Charron confidently navigated the clean and jerk, executing lifts of 126 kg and 130kg precisely. After missing the 132 kg mark in her last lift, she finished second to Luo Shifang from China with a final score of 236, culminating in a silver medal.
After the event, Charon spoke to the journalists and said, “The medal is just the cherry on top,” “I didn’t come here for a medal. I didn’t come here for a podium. All I wanted is the experience of the Olympics that I didn’t have in Tokyo. I had the perfect result in Tokyo. Now I just wanted the experience.”
The 31-year-old chose to go down over up after the weight category elimination and shredded over 10 pounds to return to the Olympics. She was eager to perform in front of a huge crowd after missing out on the fan-less COVID Olympics in Tokyo three years ago and took the challenge gracefully.
Breaking the stereotypes, she said, “It ended well, but I was still like, ‘Where’s my gang? Where’s my support system?’” Charron asked. “So it was happiness but also — not regret — but sour maybe if I did all of that, it’s wonderful, but I’m alone. I felt alone. Here, I felt so well surrounded.”
A moment of sporting camaraderie was witnessed as Charon shared a gracious moment with her competitor, Kuo Hsing-chun, shortly before the medal presentation.
Connection Of Greatness
Getting started in weightlifting was all due to her coaches’ scouting skills, which grew further with her fascination with Christine Girard, Canada’s most decorated Olympic weightlifter. Interestingly, once Girard’s words pushed her to work hard as a clean athlete, she thrived in every event.
The Canadian star has a knack for slaying competitions. Her first career world championship medal came at the 2022 IWF World Championship in 59 kg. It was followed by a pinnacle-defining gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Championships in the same weight category.
Despite challenging changes and injuries along the way, she produced a stellar performance in Paris 2024. Intent on transitioning to a career in law enforcement after weightlifting, fans can’t wait to witness more of her exhibit performance before she devotes herself to the service of the public.
Stay tuned with WSG for more updates.
