We look at how 2010 saw Mariana Pajon exceed even her own exceptional levels of achievement on a BMX bike.
The journey
Mariana’s father gave her a bike at the age of three and she learned to ride it in a single day. With both her dad and brother BMX racers, she was soon on a BMX track, and won her first world championship aged just nine, in 2000. She has either won the 20” or 24” category (or both) at the worlds every year since except 2003. She was also invited to an Olympic youth training camp at Beijing 2008 to give her a taste for the Olympic Games.
The big event
Not so much one big event, but so many. In 2010, Mariana has won the World Championship, Panamerican Games, South American Games (in her home country of Colombia) and the Central American Games. At the World Cup in France, she won the bronze medal.
Best quotes of the year
“It’s my dream, and I will do my best to bring home an Olympic medal.”
Mariana looks towards the London 2012 Games.
“I will also study hard to be an excellent doctor.”
Mariana, when asked by redbull.com earlier this year what she would do as an alternative career – sounds more like a firm plan!
Top images 
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Mariana takes to the track at the World Championships.
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Mariana with her World Championship gold medal.
What’s next?
With 13 world championships combined, who'd bet against more worlds glory? Further afield, Mariana, as quoted above, dreams of representing Colombia and winning the gold medal in BMX at the Olympic Games 2012 in London.
Want more?
- Mariana Pajon profile
- Exclusive Mariana Pajon interview
- Mariana talks about the physical shocks of BMX
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