Yulimar Rojas: Biography, Childhood, Career, Achievements, Net Worth, Height, Weight, Wife, and Inspiring Story

The Venezuelan athlete Yulimar Rojas has left an indelible mark on the sport of triple jumping. She currently holds the world record for the event, with an astounding leap of 15.67 meters (51 feet 4¾ inches). As the reigning Olympic champion, she has clinched the top position at the World Championship an impressive four times: in 2017 (London), 2019 (Doha), 2022 (Eugene), and 2023 (Budapest). Her prowess extends to the indoor arena as well, having claimed the World Indoor Championship three times in 2016 (Portland), 2018 (Birmingham), and 2022 (Belgrade). Often dubbed the “queen” of the triple jump, Rojas’ exceptional speed, agility, and resolute spirit have propelled her to the forefront of her field. This profile delves into her early life, athletic journey, noteworthy achievements, and more.

Fast Facts about Yulimar Rojas

CATEGORY	INFORMATION
Full Name	Yulimar Andrea Rojas Rodríguez
Nick Name	Yolimar Rojas
Profession(s)	🏃‍♀️ Track and Field Athlete
Famous for	Triple Jump World Record Holder. Consecutive World Champion,  Olympic Champion
PERSONAL DETAILS
Date & Place of Birth	October 21, 1995 – Caracas, Venezuela
Age (as of August 2023)	27
Zodiac sign	Libra ♎
Gender	Female
Sexuality (Gay or Lesbian)	Lesbian
Nationality	Venezuelan
Religion	NA
Parents	Yulexcis Rodríguez And Pedro Zapata
Siblings	5 siblings
Marital Status	Unmarried
Relationship	Committed
Girlfriend Name	Kenverlin Mejías
Hometown	Caracas, Venezuela
EDUCATION
Highest Qualification	Degree
School	Special Sports School
College/University	Simón Rodríguez University in Anzoátegui, Venezuela
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter	Yulimar Rojas Twitter	224K 🐦Followers
Instagram	Yulimar Rojas Instagram	1.1M 📸 Followers
CAREER
Professions	🏃‍♀️ Track and Field Athlete
Years Active	2011 – Present
Coach(es)	Iván Pedroso
Club/Employer	Adidas FC Barcelona Athletics
Sports	Track and field
Event	Triple jump, long jump
Favorite Event	Triple jump
Ranking as of 25.08.2023	World Women Tripple Jump: 🌍 1 World Women’s Overall Ranking: 🌍 8
Honors Summary	4 🥇 x World Champion 1 🥇 x Olympic champion 1 🥈 x Olympic Games Silver Medalist 2 💎 x Diamond League Final Winner
Personal Bests	Outdoor Triple jump: 15.67m ⚡️ (Tokyo 2021) WR Indoor Triple jump: 15.74m ⚡️(51 ft 7.56003937 in) WR (Belgrade 2022)
NET WORTH	$5 million 💰 (as per various online sources)
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Height (approx.)	6 ft 4 in (192 cm)
Weight (approx.) 2023	159 lbs (72 kg)
Hair Colour	⚫ Black
Eye Colour	⚫ Brown
Body Type	💪 Athletic

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Early Life and Background:

Yulimar Rojas Rodríguez was born in Caracas and spent her formative years in a modest dwelling in Pozuelos, Anzoátegui. Her family moved there so that her stepfather could work in the oil industry. Growing up with five siblings in a financially challenged household instilled in her a determination to overcome adversity, a trait that played a pivotal role in her future success. Despite their home being ravaged by inclement weather, the family’s fortunes improved in 2014, thanks to Yulimar’s burgeoning achievements.

In 2021, Yulimar shared that her early aspirations were simple: to secure a decent life. However, her entry into competitive sports led her to make a promise to her mother – the pledge to purchase a proper home someday. Her relentless pursuit enabled her to fulfill that promise. It’s worth noting that Yulimar’s coaches revealed that her departure from Venezuela in 2015 was necessary to access adequate nourishment and medical care, crucial for maintaining her athletic well-being.

Education and Training:

Yulimar Rojas’ fascination with sports was ignited upon witnessing the Venezuelan team at the 2008 Olympics. Even though she was tall and wanted to play volleyball, no teams were nearby. She also tried basketball, but coaching was hard to find. She got into a special sports school where her stepdad, who used to be a boxer, suggested she try athletics instead of volleyball. She started training with coach Jesús Velásquez at a place called the Simón Bolívar Sports Complex.

Yulimar and other young athletes even helped make the sandpit for jumping under a particular tree at that training spot. Her two sisters, Yerilda and Yorgelys Zapata, also do sports and train at the same place. Yulimar started with the shot put in her first event, and even though she won, she decided to try other sports. When she was 15, she did her first high jump competition. She looked up to Asnoldo Devonish, who was the only Venezuelan athlete to win an Olympic medal in track and field before Yulimar. He inspired her a lot in her own journey.

Introduction to the Athletic Career:

Rojas’ athletic career began to flourish during her time at the Universidad Central de Venezuela. She quickly established herself as a standout performer in the triple jump event. Her exceptional speed, technique, and versatility set her apart from her competitors. As a young athlete, Yulimar Rojas faced numerous challenges, including a father who initially refused to give permission for her to compete internationally. However, her determination and resilience propelled her to overcome these obstacles and make her mark in the world of track and field.

Career Beginnings (2011-2015):

In 2011, at just 15 years old, Yulimar Rojas participated in her inaugural high jump competition at the South American Junior Championships. In a remarkable feat, she emerged victorious, establishing a new national youth record and securing the 11th global ranking.

The subsequent year brought forth a setback, with a fourth-place finish at the Youth Championships. Nevertheless, she demonstrated her potential by clinching sixth place at the Ibero-American Championships and claiming bronze at the South American Under-23 Championships.

Rise to Prominence (2013-2015):

Yulimar’s growth continued in 2013, marked by breaking the South American junior record in the high jump and securing two international silver medals. She also ventured into the long jump, showcasing her versatility.

In 2014, Yulimar expanded her repertoire to include horizontal and vertical jump events. She earned her maiden senior gold medal in the high jump at the South American Games and triumphed in the long jump at the Pan American Sports Festival.

The pivotal year of 2015 witnessed Yulimar Rojas’ breakthrough. She established national records in both long jump and triple jump at the Venezuelan Championships, firmly establishing herself as Venezuela’s premier jumper. Her success extended to gold at the South American Championships and silver at the Military World Games.

Triple Jump Dominance (2016-2021):

Yulimar Rojas’ collaboration with Cuban long jumper Iván Pedroso and her association with FC Barcelona Athletics in 2016 marked a turning point. Her dedication bore fruit with a silver medal in the triple jump at the Rio Olympics, making her the first Venezuelan woman to secure an Olympic medal.

In 2017, Yulimar achieved a significant milestone, clinching her initial outdoor World Championship in triple jump. This victory bestowed upon her the distinction of being Venezuela’s first athlete to seize gold at the championships, a glimmer of hope during the country’s 2017 protests.

A temporary hiatus due to injury in 2018 temporarily ceded the spotlight to Caterine Ibargüen. Nevertheless, Yulimar made a triumphant return in 2019, continuing her triple jump domination. The zenith of her achievements arrived in 2020, marked by a new world record in the women’s triple jump and a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Her 15.67-meter leap surpassed the previous record set in 1995, affirming her as the new record holder.

Yulimar Rojas solidified her status as a true legend in the triple jump event by clinching another gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and shattering her own world record. Her exceptional performances and consistent supremacy in the sport have immortalized her legacy.

Continued Success (2022-2023):

In 2022, Yulimar’s horizons expanded to encompass long jump excellence. Achieving indoor personal bests and records, she set a new absolute-best female triple jump record at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade. In the outdoor realm, her dominance persisted as she secured a new long jump record and retained her triple jump title at the World Athletics Championships. Her unceasing accomplishments culminated in her fourth consecutive outdoor triple jump world title in 2023, unequivocally establishing her as one of the sport’s greatest luminaries.

Awards and Achievements

Yulimar Rojas has achieved numerous accolades throughout her career, including multiple world championships, Olympic medals, and Diamond League titles. She has been bestowed with the prestigious First Class Venezuelan Order of José Félix Ribas. She has also broken world records and set new personal bests in various competitions. Here are some of his notable awards and achievements:

🥇 1x Olympic champion

🥇 4x World champion

🥈 1x Olympic Games Silver medallist

🏆 2x Diamond League Final winner

🏆 3x World Indoor champion

🏆 1x Pan American Games winner

🥈 1x South American Championships Silver medallist

💎 12x Diamond League meeting winner

🥇 1x CAC Games winner

🏆 1x National champion

💎 2x Diamond Trophy winner

Current Records Held:

🏟️ World Athletics Indoor Championships record in women’s triple jump – indoor (since 2022)

💎 Diamond League record in women’s triple jump (since 2021)

🌍 World record in women’s triple jump (since 2021)

🥇 Olympic record in women’s triple jump (since 2021)

🌍 World record in women’s triple jump – indoor (since 2020)

🇻🇪 Venezuelan record in women’s long jump – indoor (since 2020)

🌎 Pan American record in women’s triple jump (since 2019)

🌍 South American record in women’s triple jump (since 2019)

🌍 South American record in women’s triple jump – indoor (since 2016)

🇻🇪 Venezuelan record in women’s triple jump – indoor (since 2016)

🇻🇪 Venezuelan record in women’s long jump (since 2015)

🇻🇪 Venezuelan record in women’s triple jump (since 2014)

🇻🇪 Venezuelan under-20 record in women’s long jump (since 2014)

🌎 South American Under-23 Championship record in women’s long jump (2014–2018)

🌎 South American junior record in female high jump (2013–2018)

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Yulimar Rojas Coach

Yulimar is coached by the famous Cuban long jumper, Ivan Pedroso, who was one of the best jumpers of his time. He won a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Even more impressive, he managed to win an incredible 9 World Championships between 1993 and 2001, including 5 Indoor Championships. Yulimar got in touch with him through Facebook, and he thought she had a lot of talent. He invited her to come and train with him in Spain. So, she moved to a place called Guadalajara in Spain, where Pedroso lives and trains, to practice with him.

Yulimar Rojas: An LGBTQ+ Role Model

Yulimar Rojas doesn’t just excel in track and field; she’s also a source of inspiration for the LGBTQ+ community. As an openly lesbian athlete, she has become a role model for young LGBTQ+ athletes worldwide. Rojas’ vocal affirmation of her sexuality has earned her recognition, including the prestigious Outsports Female Athlete of the Year award in 2020. She’s even been hailed as “arguably the most dominant individual sport LGBTQ athlete in the world right now” by Outsports.

Beyond her sporting achievements, Rojas is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in her home country, Venezuela. Through her platform, she sheds light on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and passionately supports the ongoing struggle for legalizing same-sex marriage in Venezuela.

Yulimar Rojas’ Close Connection: Girlfriend

In her personal life, Yulimar Rojas shares a special bond with Kenverlin Mejías, affectionately addressed as “Rusmely Rojas.” While legal marriage isn’t an option for them in Venezuela due to being a same-sex couple, their profound commitment to each other shines brightly. This connection serves as a source of strength, bolstering Yulimar’s identity both as an athlete and as an advocate for her beliefs.

Beyond the track

Yulimar Rojas, recognized for her remarkable athletic achievements, also has a soft spot for superheroes from the world of comic books. In an interview with the Olympic Channel, she shared her affection for Batman, explaining, “My favorite is Batman. I like him because of his personality and everything he does.” Another cherished figure is Wonder Woman, admired for her resilience, power, and dedication to saving the world. Yulimar playfully acknowledges her childlike enthusiasm for superheroes, expressing her aspiration to be seen as a real-life superhero within her country and across the globe.

Net Worth and Legacy

Yulimar Rojas’ hard work and dedication have translated into significant success. Although specific net worth figures might differ among sources, it’s estimated that by 2023, her net worth will be around $5 million. This financial achievement underscores her unwavering commitment and international acclaim.

From her beginnings as a gifted young athlete to her ascent as a world-class triple jump champion, Yulimar Rojas’ journey is a testament to her innate talent, tenacity, and relentless effort. With each remarkable performance and her unyielding determination, she secures her place among the elite triple jumpers worldwide. As she continues to push her limits and strive for greatness, Yulimar Rojas’ future in the sport holds immense promise.