The Venezuelan duo made up of María Rojas and Mariángel García achieved a historic result for national sports by obtaining the silver medal in the I La Perla del Otún Futures Series badminton tournamentheld in the city of Pereira, Colombia.
The achievement represents the first great result of the new competitive cycle of the national team, which is under the technical direction of Olympic coach René Madrid. This result consolidates the renovation work promoted by the Venezuelan Badminton Federation, with the support of the Venezuelan Olympic Committee.
The tournament brought together competitors from different countries in America and Europe, becoming an ideal setting to measure the technical progress of the Creole athletes. The performance of Rojas and García confirmed that Venezuela continues to gain ground in this discipline, which is growing steadily on the national and international sports scene.
René Madrid: a new leadership with an Olympic vision
The debut of Rene Madrid As national coach he couldn’t have had a better start. The Salvadoran coach, recognized for leading Uriel Canjura to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, he was satisfied with the performance of the Venezuelans and with the projection he envisions for the team.
“To be our first tournament together as a team, well, one of the focuses that we were clear about is to have a game identity. Something we are progressing along with the technical work. Try to have the initiative of attack, improving the technical, tactical and physical aspects. The experience, the atmosphere, weighs a little. But it is what we are looking for, that maturity and sporting competence“Madrid assured.
The coach also highlighted the prior preparation work they carried out before each confrontation:
“Another approach was to study the rivalries’ rivalries. We study it a lot. That helped us a lot to improve twice as much.“added the coach.
His words reflect a sports project focused on planning, discipline and technical analysis, fundamental pillars to position Venezuelan badminton on the continental map.
A competitive path marked by perseverance
In it Pereira Minor Coliseumthe Venezuelans began their competitive journey with a direct advance to the quarterfinals after a “bye” in the round of 16. In their first meeting, Rojas and García clearly surpassed Francesca Clark Hurtle (Malta) y Gabriela Skorkowska (Polonia) with partials of 21-15 y 21-15.
Later, in the semifinals, they beat the locals Laura Galeano and María Pérez with marker 21-18 y 21-15showing notable coordination and strength in the attack.
The final pitted the Venezuelans against the experienced Colombians Juliana Giraldo and Karen Patiñowho took advantage of their greater international experience to win 21-16 y 21-14leaving the Creole duo with a valuable silver medal.
The protagonists celebrate the effort and the emotion of achievement
After the result, Maria Rojas He expressed his joy for the performance achieved and the importance of the achievement within his sporting process:
“It was a great emotion to get this medal for the country. For me it meant a step, or a stepping stone to continue achieving more achievements with my partner. Now we will focus on our next objective: the Bolivarian Games“Rojas said about the event to be held in Peru from November 22.
For its part, Mariángel García He shared his satisfaction with the recognition of the effort invested throughout his career:
“I felt a very great emotion. I felt that through that medal I reflected the effort and dedication I have put into the discipline. In the final against a Colombian duo with a lot of experience at the international level”Garcia added.
A new stage for Venezuelan badminton
The result obtained in Colombia marks the beginning of a new era for Venezuelan badmintonwith a focus on technical preparation, professionalization and constant participation in the Pan American circuit.
The Venezuelan Badminton Federation and the Venezuelan Olympic Committee have highlighted the relevance of this achievement as an example of the potential of women’s sports and the positive impact that institutional investment has in emerging disciplines.
Rojas and García’s silver medal symbolizes the collective effort of a team that works to position Venezuela among regional powersand reaffirms the importance of strategic planning within high sports performance.
With an eye on the Bolivarian Games of Peruthe national team will continue its preparation in intensive training camps, seeking to consolidate its style of play and maintain the upward projection demonstrated in Pereira.
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