Havana, Cuba – The Venezuelan badminton team delivered a strong performance at the Giraldilla Tournament 2026, held in Havana, Cuba, over the weekend, securing two bronze medals. The achievements mark a significant step forward for the program, exceeding their results from the 2025 edition of the tournament.
Mariangel García claimed a bronze medal in the women’s individual event, while the women’s doubles team of Bárbara Lamas and Nazareth Sánchez also secured a bronze for Venezuela. The success provides valuable ranking points for the team as they continue their competitive cycle on the international stage.
García’s Path to Bronze
Mariangel García’s journey to the podium began with a bye in the round of 16, followed by a decisive 2-0 victory over Daniela Hernández of El Salvador. She continued her strong showing in the quarterfinals, defeating Mexico’s Sara Delgado with scores of 21-15 and 21-14. García faced a tough challenge in the semifinals against Malta’s Francesca Clark, ultimately falling in a closely contested three-set match (13-21, 21-14, 15-21). Despite the loss, she secured the bronze medal alongside Colombia’s Juliana Giraldo.
The tournament’s individual gold medal was claimed by Cuba’s Taymara Oropesa, who defeated Clark 2-0 in the final.
Lamas and Sánchez Dominate in Doubles
The Venezuelan duo of Bárbara Lamas and Nazareth Sánchez demonstrated consistent form throughout the tournament. They secured convincing victories over Cuban pairs Boche/Torre and Cabrera/Sanz in the initial stages, earning their place among the tournament’s top performers. Their strong play resulted in a bronze medal finish for the team.
This performance represents a clear improvement for the Venezuelan badminton program. In 2025, the team reached only the quarterfinal stage of the Giraldilla Tournament. The 2026 results demonstrate the growth and increasing competitiveness of Venezuelan athletes in the sport. The points earned at this tournament will be crucial as the team looks to improve their standing in the world rankings.
The Giraldilla Tournament is a key event on the international badminton calendar, attracting competitors from across the Americas and beyond. The tournament provides a valuable opportunity for athletes to gain experience and earn ranking points. For Venezuela, the success at the 2026 edition signals a positive trajectory for the future of badminton in the country.
The Venezuelan team’s performance was particularly notable given the challenging conditions and high level of competition at the tournament. The team’s dedication and hard operate were evident in their consistent performance throughout the event.
The success of Mariangel García and the doubles team of Lamas and Sánchez is a source of pride for Venezuelan sport. It highlights the potential for growth and achievement in badminton, and serves as an inspiration for future generations of athletes.
Looking ahead, the Venezuelan badminton team will undoubtedly use the momentum from this tournament to prepare for future competitions. The team’s focus will be on continuing to improve their skills and rankings, and representing Venezuela with pride on the international stage.
The next steps for the team will involve continued training and participation in upcoming international events. The team will be looking to build on their success at the Giraldilla Tournament and achieve even greater results in the future.
Fans can follow updates on the Venezuelan badminton team and their upcoming competitions through the official channels of the Ministry of Popular Power for Sport (Mindeporte) and the Venezuelan Badminton Federation.
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