CARACAS – After the first 5 days, the Venezuelan expedition travels at full speed in the Juego Pannamericanos Junior Cali-Valle 2021. Up to now, Venezuelan athletes have been on the podium on 12 occasions (3 golds, 3 silvers and 6 bronzes).
At the moment, the siren María Victoria Yegres (16) is showing all her talent in the pool. Yegres has climbed the podium on three occasions: in the 800m freestyle (gold), 200m freestyle (silver), 400m freestyle (bronze) and could enrich her palmares with the 1500m freestyle test. The swimmer, who did her training in Spain, qualified for the Pan American Games in 2023 thanks to her victory in the 800 meters, which will be hosted by the city of Santiago in Chile in 2023. In addition to the Yagres, the Venezuelans with a place for the Pan-Americans of 2023 are Fabiola Díaz (judo) and Willis García (judo).
From the pools of the games, the “Little Venice” also rejoiced for the bronze medal won by Jorge Otaiza in the 100 meter butterfly.
The Venezuelan flag flew on the podium thanks to Juan Díaz’s bronze medal in judo, 90 kg category, which he beat the Ecuadorian Kevin Cuero in the final with an ippon. Judo gave another joy to the expedition thanks to the bronze of Amarantha Urdaneta who in the +78 kg category beat the Mexican Prigioni López at the Golden Score.
In tennis, the Italian-Venezuelan Francisco Sinopoli beat the Peruvian Christopher Li Ludeña 2-1 (2-6 6-4 6-2) and qualified for the round of 16. Still in racket sport, Isaac Rondón was overtaken 2-0 (6-1 and 6-2) by Paraguayan Lucas Britez.
In gymnastics, Venezuelan Edward Rolin finished his participation in third place with 12,699.
In weightlifting María Valentina Rodríguez had to raise the white flag in weightlifting, category 76 kg, due to an injury.
(by Fioravante De Simone / Caracas editorial office)
