Elizabeth Perez Perez Puerto Rico Strength and Power HoF inductee 2022
By Strength and Power Hall of Fame
Elizabeth Pérez Pérez, was born on October 31, 1967, in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Her parents are Lorenzo and Noelia, both Puerto Ricans. From the time she was born until she was five years old, she lived in the town of Moca, and then her parents moved to the town of Añasco, where she lived until the age of seventeen. While studying at the university, she lived in the city of Mayagüez. Lizzie as her family and friends know her, is the oldest of seven children. She has two brothers and three sisters, Fredeswinda, Iris, Claribel, Orlando, Reinaldo, and Carmen. Elizabeth comes from a humble country home, her father worked as a farmer, and her mother took care of the house and her children and helped on the farm. As Elizabeth grew, she helped with the housework and with her siblings. She grew up in a Catholic home, but at a very young age, she embraced the Adventist religion as her religious belief.
In her childhood, Elizabeth attended the Ramón Méndez Quiñones school in Moca, P.R., and the Espino school in the town of Añasco. Her intermediate grade was taken at the Isabel Suarez school, and in 1985 at the age of seventeen, she finished at the Alcides Figueroa High School, also in the town of Añasco. She then studied nursing and secretarial work at the Adventist University in Mayagüez, P.R., and at the I.C.P.R. Junior College. Also she lived in the town of Isabela, Aguada and Guaynabo.
In May 1987, she married Harry Torres Mayo, and they moved to N.Y.C. there, she dedicated herself to doing community work. In her marriage, they procreate two daughters, Lizzita and Liza. Her youngest daughter Liza has a son named Ezra.
Elizabeth has dedicated her working life to what she is most passionate about, helping others. While she lived in Delaware and Pennsylvania, she worked for twenty-eight years in nursing with patients with Alzheimer's and other Dementia. Her work helped these people have a better quality of life and dignified treatment. In addition to her career, she is passionate about crafts, music, photography, writing poems, and the science of oils. She loves animals and, of course, sports.
From an early age, Elizabeth was drawn to community work. During her life, she has had to face several challenges, among which is a health condition that began in her childhood, and the doctors never gave her a diagnosis or treatment. She suffers from constant headaches, nausea, and vomiting. The condition that she grew up with was increasing, and her challenges to keep studying and working were greater each time because she was later diagnosed with migraine. When she faced a challenging day due to her health condition, she repeated these words to herself over and over again, "Come on, I can do it, I'm going to do it, I have to be independent, even if others think I can't, I'm going to do it." This positive and hard-working attitude has helped her live with passion and be patient until she achieves her goals and dreams. And with that same passion, she has continued to help people in her community in different ways, through talks/workshops in schools to guide and inspire others. In her message to these people, she tries to make them understand that decisions affect the future and that they see failure as a steppingstone that can lead to success.
She has contributed to a missionary organization in different global projects, such as the construction of hospitals, schools, universities, houses, and churches to bring water, electricity, food, and medicine to communities in need.
In high school and university, she belonged to the track and field team, rhythmic gymnastics, solo, and a couple of groups in which she had significant recognition. In 2001 she obtained recognition from the Federal Government through the Pennsylvania Veterans Hospital. On September 1, 2022, the autonomous municipality of Aguadilla presented her with the Award for Excellence. Throughout her life, she has obtained more than twenty-five awards in the weightlifting discipline.
In the year 2012, she had a car accident with the effect of multiple surgeries and four months in bed. Due to the impacts, the migraine condition worsens. Following the accident, she began to prepare for state competitions in P.A. her and the National & American Cup, and in 2014 she obtained first place in both competitions.
The year 2017 brought many challenges for Elizabeth. After thirty years of marriage, she is divorcing the father of her two daughters. She decides to return to Puerto Rico and settles in the town of Isabela. A few weeks after being in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria arrives. With the desire to help that characterizes her, she makes herself available in the "triage" of the hospital and shelter in Isabela to help the victims. There she was in charge for approximately two months.
In 2018 she met Carlos López Torrez. They got married and went to live in the town of San Sebastián, P.R.
She is creating a non-profit foundation for patients with Alzheimer's and other Dementias. He is also in talks to bring powerlifting competitions to Puerto Rico.
If I were to describe Elizabeth, I would say that she is an extraordinary weightlifter but, above all, a humanitarian person.
1995
Elizabeth has always been a person of challenges. In 1995, she began to prepare to do a weight competition without thinking that one day she would be nominated for the HALL OF FAME in this discipline. Thanks to her perseverance, she participates in local, regional, state, and WORLD competitions. Some of her achievements in this discipline are:
1996
• Kennett Square, PA / Unionville Y.M.C.A. – Bench Press – 2nd Place
• Kennett Square, PA / Championship - 2nd Place
• Delaware, PA Championship Women's Division U.S.P.F. – 1st Place
• U.S.P.F. / PA State Power Lifting Championship – Women's open 123 Lb. 1st Place
1997
• U.S.P.F. / Philadelphia, PA - American Invitational Powerlifting class Women's open 52kg. (114Lb) 1st Place
1998
• W.P.A. / A.P.A. Lancaster, PA–Y.M.C.A. – Bench/Deadlift Classic - 1st y 2nd Place
• W.P.A. / A.P.A. Lancaster, PA – Y.M.C.A. – Bench/Deadlift Classic - 1st y 3rd Place
• W.N.P.F. Raw National & North American Powerlifting Championship - 1st Place
Historical Record, Best Lifter & Women lifter of the year
1999
• N.P.U. – Pennsylvania Natural Powerlifting Championship – 1st Place
• N.P.U. – Senior Natural Powerlifting Championship – 1st Place
• U.S.P.F. - Pennsylvania State Powerlifting Championship – 1st Place
• U.S.P.F. - Region II Powerlifting Championship – 1st Place
• Lancaster Y.M.C.A. – 2nd Annual Powerlifting Class – out standing lifter women AM – 1st Place
• Lancaster Y.M.C.A. – 2nd Annual Powerlifting Class AM –123 Lbs.- 1st Place
2000
• W.N.P.F. – World Powerlifting Championship – 1st Place
• State PA – Y.M.C.A. – Best Lifter – 1st Place
2001
• W.N.P.F. East Coast Powerlifting Championship - October 6, 2001 – 1st Place
• W.N.P.F. East Coast Powerlifting Championship – Open Division - October 6 – 1st Place
2002
• W.N.P.F. – Raw National & Power Fest 2k2 – Open Division - April 13th & 14th - 1st Place
• W.N.P.F. – Raw National & Power Fest 2k2 – April 13th & 14th - 1st Place
• W.N.P.F. – World Bench Press – Deadlift Ironman – Power Curl Championship – Deadlift – August 3rd & 4th – 1st Place
2003
• W.N.P.F. – 1st Place Delaware Bench / Deadlift & Power Curl Championship – July 20 – Deadlift
- W.N.P.F. – 1st Place Delaware Bench / Deadlift & Power Curl Championship – July 20th – Power Curl
• W.N.P.F. World Powerlifting Championship – October 24th & 26th – World Champion – 1st Place
2014
(After the car accident)
• W.N.P.F. – Powerlifting Championship – three state records same competition - May – 1st Place
• W.N.P.F. – National & American Cup - June - 1st Place - in this competition, she qualified for the World Championships but could not participate for personal reasons (divorce).
Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Tue Sep 13 20:09:56 UTC 2022 | Last Updated: Wed Dec 27 13:58:58 UTC 2023