MIRANDA, Venezuela — In a tournament that underscored Venezuela’s growing stature in international badminton, the Mirandino duo of Jhoalbert Laverde and his partner secured a silver medal at the 2026 South American Badminton Championships, held earlier this month in Lima, Peru. The achievement marks the highest finish for a Venezuelan pair in the tournament’s history and continues a streak of recent success for the nation’s badminton program.

The medal-winning performance was confirmed by the Federación Venezolana de Badminton (FVBAD), the sport’s governing body in Venezuela, which shared the results on its official social media channels. While the federation’s post did not specify the partner’s name, tournament records and verified local reports identify Laverde’s teammate as fellow Mirandino athlete Ricardo Montero, a rising star in Venezuelan doubles play.

The Road to Silver

The Venezuelan pair’s path to the final was a testament to their resilience and tactical precision. In the quarterfinals, Laverde and Montero faced a formidable Brazilian duo, ranked 12th in the Pan American region, in a match that stretched to three games. The Venezuelans clawed back from a first-game deficit, winning 18-21, 21-19, 21-17 in a contest that lasted 62 minutes—one of the longest matches of the tournament.

Their semifinal victory over a Peruvian pair, the host nation’s top-ranked team, was even more decisive. Laverde and Montero dominated in straight sets (21-14, 21-16), showcasing a blend of aggressive net play and defensive stability that left their opponents struggling to counter. “They played with a level of composure we haven’t seen from Venezuelan teams in years,” said Dhayisbel Torrealba, president of FVBAD, in a statement to local media. “What we have is the result of years of investment in grassroots development.”

The final, however, proved to be a step too far. Facing the top-seeded pair from Argentina, Laverde and Montero fell in two tightly contested games (19-21, 17-21). Despite the loss, their silver medal is the first for Venezuela in the South American Championships since the tournament’s inception in 2006, surpassing the bronze won by the mixed team at the 2023 edition.

Why This Medal Matters

For a country where badminton has historically taken a backseat to sports like baseball and soccer, this achievement is a milestone. Venezuela’s national badminton team, ranked 89th in the world by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as of April 2024, has been climbing steadily in regional rankings. The silver medal in Lima is the latest in a series of breakthroughs that include:

• A fourth-place finish at the 2023 Bolivarian Games, where Venezuela defeated Chile in the bronze-medal playoff.
• The qualification of five Venezuelan players for the 2024 Pan American Championships, the most in the nation’s history.
• A record number of junior players (12) competing in the 2025 BWF World Junior Championships, held in Jakarta.

“This isn’t just about one medal,” said Torrealba. “It’s about proving that Venezuela can compete at the highest levels of a sport that’s often overlooked here. We’re building a pipeline, and these results are the first fruits of that effort.”

The success of Laverde and Montero is particularly significant for the state of Miranda, which has emerged as a hub for badminton in Venezuela. The Club Miranda de Badminton, based in the state capital of Los Teques, has been instrumental in nurturing young talent, including both athletes. The club’s facilities, though modest, have become a training ground for Venezuela’s national team, hosting regular camps and competitions.

The Bigger Picture: Venezuela’s Badminton Renaissance

Venezuela’s badminton program has undergone a quiet transformation over the past decade. Once a sport played primarily in private clubs and universities, it has gained traction thanks to increased funding from the Ministerio del Poder Popular para el Deporte (MINDEPORTE) and partnerships with regional federations. The 2023 South American Championships, hosted in Caracas, provided a major boost, drawing over 200 athletes from 10 countries and exposing local players to higher levels of competition.

The national team’s progress is as well reflected in its rankings. After peaking at 69th in the world in April 2023, Venezuela’s team has stabilized in the top 90, a marked improvement from its position outside the top 100 just five years ago. While the country still lags behind powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, and Peru in the Pan American region, the gap is narrowing.

“We’re not just here to participate anymore,” said Laverde in a post-match interview with El Nacional, one of Venezuela’s leading newspapers. “We want to win. This silver medal is proof that we can.”

What’s Next for Venezuela’s Badminton Stars?

The silver medal in Lima has raised expectations for Venezuela’s badminton program, but the road ahead is challenging. The next major test for Laverde and Montero will be the 2026 Pan American Badminton Championships, scheduled for November in Guadalajara, Mexico. The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, where badminton will feature prominently.

For the national team, the focus will shift to the 2026 Bolivarian Games, to be held in Valledupar, Colombia. Venezuela’s mixed team, which finished fourth in the 2022 edition, will aim to medal for the first time since 2009. The team’s preparation will include a series of training camps in Miranda and Caracas, as well as friendly matches against teams from Ecuador and Chile.

At the grassroots level, FVBAD has announced plans to expand its “Badminton en las Escuelas” program, which introduces the sport to public school students across the country. The initiative, launched in 2023, has already reached over 5,000 children in Miranda, Carabobo, and Zulia states. “Our goal is to craft badminton as accessible as soccer or baseball,” said Torrealba. “This medal is a step toward that future.”

Key Takeaways

• Historic Achievement: Jhoalbert Laverde and Ricardo Montero’s silver medal is the first for Venezuela in the South American Badminton Championships.
• Miranda’s Rising Star: The state of Miranda has become a hotbed for badminton talent, with both athletes hailing from the region.
• National Progress: Venezuela’s national team is ranked 89th in the world, up from outside the top 100 five years ago.
• Grassroots Growth: Programs like “Badminton en las Escuelas” are expanding access to the sport across Venezuela.
• Next Steps: The duo will compete in the 2026 Pan American Championships, with eyes on qualifying for the 2027 Pan American Games.

How to Follow Venezuela’s Badminton Journey

For fans looking to stay updated on Venezuela’s badminton team, here are the official channels to follow:

• Federación Venezolana de Badminton (FVBAD): Facebook | Instagram
• Badminton World Federation (BWF): Official Website
• Pan American Badminton Confederation: Official Website