Mariana pajón began 2012 just like she ended 2011, with wins and points that get her closer to the Olympic Games and the number one world BMX ranking.  The native of Antioquia won the Gator nationals North American Championships that took place in western-central Florida and took over number two in the world.

"Tata", as she is nicknamed, decided to enter the competition due to the importance as far as points for the world ranking, and thanks to the victory, Mariana aquired 90 more points and took the second place in the world, only behind American Brooke Crain, who finished in the podium at every competition she entered. 

In the semifinals, Pajón left behind riders such as Dutchwoman Merle Van Benthem, American Arielle Martin and Australian Caroline Buchanan, from who she also took the second spot on the world ranking.  In the final, the Colombian overcame the before mentioned Crain, who continued with her streak of podiums, and Alise Post, also from the United States.  

It is a great start for Mariana as she begins the final strech of preparation and competition for the most important date of her career; the London Olympics, where she will try to become just the second Colombian to win a gold medal in history, and the second to win any medal in BMX, after Andrés Jiménez won bronze in 2010.  

The christmas season began with some more triumphs for Mariana.  The native of Antioquia received the honor of being inducted into the sports hall of fame in her home city of Medellín at only 19 years old, making her the youngest member of that elite group.  The honor comes just one week after Pajón finished third in the voting for Colombian athlete of the year.

"It is an honor to be part of this hall of fame next to such exelent athletes", said the queen of BMX after getting into a hall of fame in a city with some of  the most succesful athletes in the country, such as soccer player Andrés Escobar, racecar driver Roberto Guerrero, and cyclist Santiago Botero, among others.

With this prize, Mariana completes a very succesful beginning of December.  She achieved a third place voting for the most prestigous prize in Colombian sports, the Athlete of The Year, given out by El Espectador.  The winner for 2011 was track and field athlete Caterine Ibarguen, bronze medalist at the world championships in South Korea, and Gold medalist at the Guadalajara Panamerican games.  Swimmer Omar Pinzón, Gold medalist at the World Cup in Japan, was second.

Mariana, on her part, added a gold medal at the Panamerican Games, national games, and national games, and a world title in the BMX World cup.  She also stands second in the BMX world ranking.  Now the Colombian will enjoy a well deserved vacation with her family after a spectacular year.