Mario Martinez

A Salinas native, Martinez was one of the United States’ premier weightlifters for nearly two decades. He was a four-time USA Weightlifter of the Year and a 10-time US National Champion—nine of those as  a Super Heavyweight. Martinez was a three-time Olympian. He won a silver medal in the 1984 Games, placed eighth in the 1992 Olympic Games, and fourth in the 1998 Olympic Games. Martinez won gold, silver and bronze medals at three different Pan Am Games (1987, 1991, and 1995) and a bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games.