Bolivian Rising Stars: Noelia Paz and Yatzen Soza Honored with the National Tricolor

In a moment of high symbolic weight for Bolivian sports, judoka Noelia Paz and swimmer Yatzen Soza have been entrusted with the “Tricolor,” the national flag of Bolivia. The gesture marks a transition of leadership and hope, positioning these two young athletes as the faces of a new generation striving to elevate the country’s standing on the international stage.

For Noelia Paz, the honor is more than a ceremony. As a flag bearer for the Bolivian delegation, the 15-year-old judoka carries the expectations of a nation hungry for podium finishes in combat sports. Paz, the daughter of Juan José, president of the Bolivian Judo Federation, has rapidly transitioned from a promising talent to a consistent competitor in the international -48 kg weight class.

The Ascent of Noelia Paz

Paz’s trajectory over the last two years reveals a disciplined climb through the ranks of the International Judo Federation (IJF). Her breakthrough gained significant momentum in October 2024, when she secured a silver medal at an international competition in Cúcuta, Colombia. That performance served as a catalyst, proving her ability to compete against high-level regional rivals and bringing a rare silver medal back to Bolivia.

Since that victory, Paz has maintained a grueling schedule of international tournaments, using each event to refine her technique and build her world ranking. In the 2025 season, she faced some of the toughest competition in the Americas and beyond. At the Panamerican and Oceania Championships in April 2025, Paz demonstrated her resilience in the Juniors category, securing victories over Addyson Tamura of Canada and Ambre Popoff of Paraguay before finishing 7th overall.

The competitive nature of the -48 kg division was further evident during the OTP Group Sofia World Championships Cadets in August 2025. While she faced a tough loss against Belgium’s Maelys Dapa, Paz managed a victory over Germany’s Emily Chiara Plich, showcasing her ability to compete outside the Pan-American bubble.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, the -48 kg category is the lightest weight class in women’s judo, requiring a combination of extreme agility, explosive speed, and technical precision. At 150 cm, Paz fits the physical profile of the division, relying on discipline and effort to bridge the gap against more experienced opponents.

Analyzing the Numbers: Rankings and Results

As of April 10, 2026, Noelia Paz holds a dual presence in the world rankings, reflecting her transition between age categories. In the Cadets -48 kg division, she is ranked 65th globally with 44 points. In the Juniors -48 kg division, she sits at 100th place with 32 points.

Her performance at the 2025 Bolivarian Games provides a clear snapshot of her current competitive ceiling. Paz advanced through the early stages, including a victory over Chile’s Martina Diaz. However, she fell in the semi-finals to Colombia’s Erika Lasso and subsequently lost the bronze medal match to Venezuela’s Gabriela Miranda, ending the tournament in 5th place.

These results highlight a recurring theme in Paz’s career: the ability to dominate early rounds and challenge top-tier athletes, while still fighting to break through the final barrier to the podium in major multi-sport events.

While the provided context also highlights swimmer Yatzen Soza as a recipient of the national colors, the focus of the current international cycle has been heavily weighted toward Paz’s rapid ascent in the IJF circuit.

The Weight of the Tricolor

Being named a flag bearer is rarely just about athletic merit; it is about representation. For the Bolivian delegation, Paz represents a “young promise” whose commitment is intended to inspire a generation of athletes who often struggle for visibility and resources compared to their neighbors in Brazil or Colombia.

The discipline required for judo—a sport that has been Olympic since 1964—mirrors the broader struggle of Bolivian athletics to find a consistent foothold in the Olympic movement. By carrying the flag, Paz is not just representing her own career, but the institutional effort of the Bolivian Judo Federation to professionalize the sport within the country.

What’s Next: A Critical April

The timing of this honor coincides with one of the most demanding stretches of Paz’s career. With the current date being April 10, 2026, the judoka is entering a high-stakes window of competition.

Her immediate focus is the IV Youth South American Games, scheduled to begin on April 13, 2026. This event serves as a primary benchmark for youth development in the region and a chance for Paz to convert her ranking points into a medal.

Immediately following the South American Games, Paz will jump to a higher level of competition at the Panamerican Senior Championships on April 18, 2026. Competing in the Senior division as a teenager is a bold move, but it is a necessary step for any athlete aiming for future Olympic qualification. Facing seasoned professionals will test her tactical maturity and physical strength in the -48 kg class.

For the Bolivian sports community, these two events in April will determine if the momentum from her silver in Colombia and her top-10 finishes in 2025 can be translated into a dominant 2026 campaign.

As Paz and Soza step forward as the new faces of Bolivian sport, the eyes of the nation will be on the tatami and the pool. For Paz, the journey from a 15-year-old prospect to a world-ranked competitor is well underway, but the true test begins this week in the South American Games.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the Bolivian delegation is the start of the IV Youth South American Games on April 13, 2026. Stay tuned for updates on Noelia Paz’s performance and the results of the Panamerican Senior Championships on April 18.

Do you consider Bolivia’s investment in youth combat sports will pay off at the next Olympic cycle? Share your thoughts in the comments below.