Talk about an Olympic-size comeback…

Following his heartbreaking showing at the 2008 Beijing Games, Óscar Figueroa returned to Olympic competition in tip-top shape to claim his first medal.

Competing in his third Olympics, the 29-year-old Colombian weightlifter—who left the 2008 Olympic Games empty handed due to a hand injury—won the silver medal in the men’s 62 kg weightlifting event at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, placing behind North Korean Kim Un Guk.

Figueroa claimed the shock silver with a total of 317kg (140, 177), his clean and jerk setting a new Olympic record.

Eko Yuli Irawan of Indonesia took bronze.

In Beijing, Figueroa failed to make a lift in the snatch category, after an injury to his right hand prevented him from getting a firm grip.He left the games with DNF on the board and his trials and tribulations were broadcast around the world.

According to Australia’s Seven Network Olympics coverage at the time, Figueroa had earlier had an injection to his right hand which reportedly resulted in a loss of feeling.