Sucre Crowns Champions at Historic First International Badminton Tournament in Bolivia

Sucre successfully hosted the inaugural Torneo Internacional de Bádminton at the Max Toledo coliseum, drawing 44 athletes from 10 countries across four days of world-ranking competition, according to reports from Correo del Sur. The landmark event marked a milestone for the sport in Bolivia, transforming a venue originally readecuated for the 2024 I Juegos Bolivarianos de la Juventud into an exclusive, regulation-standard badminton arena.

Overcoming Logistics and Securing Global Entries

Organizing a tournament of this scale carried significant uncertainty regarding foreign participation, but the event’s status as a world ranking qualifier ultimately drew elite international talent to the Bolivian capital, as reported by Correo del Sur. Cindy Avendaño, president of the Federación Boliviana de Bádminton, noted that bringing high-profile competitors to the country allowed local athletes to earn international ranking points with a fraction of the usual travel investment.

The draw featured established veterans alongside emerging junior prospects. Among the headliners was Guatemalan men’s singles star Kevin Cordón, who has competed in five Olympic Games, alongside Mexican Pan American medalist Sabrina Solís. They were joined by rising junior talents such as Peru’s Naomi Junco and Gonzalo Castillo, and Argentina’s Joaquín Scarfi.

Singles Finals: Experience and Star Power Prevail

In the women’s singles division, Sabrina Solís captured the title after a grueling three-game battle against Peru’s Naomi Junco, winning 2-1. According to match reports, the Mexican veteran relied on tactical poise and superior court management to outlast the younger challenger in what organizers described as a final-worthy showcase.

Meanwhile, men’s top seed Kevin Cordón fulfilled pre-tournament expectations. The veteran Guatemalan navigated a demanding draw before defeating Cuba’s Roberto Carlos Herrera 2-0 in the men’s singles final, securing the championship crown in straight games.

Doubles Divisions Highlight Regional Rivalries

The doubles categories showcased dominant performances from across the Pan American circuit. In women’s doubles, Cuba’s Leyanis Contreras and Taymara Oropesa claimed the title by overcoming Brazil’s Luisa Bueno and María Nascimento. The host nation celebrated local representation on the podium, as Bolivian pairs Verónica Condori paired with Melanie Salvatierra, and Juanita Siviora paired with Fabiana Tolavi, secured bronze-equivalent podium finishes.

Peruvian athletes dominated the men’s and mixed team brackets. In men’s doubles, an all-Peruvian final saw Gonzalo Castillo and Sharum Durand defeat compatriots Guillermo Buendía and Umesh Lescano 2-0. In mixed doubles, Peru’s Sharum Durand and Namie Miyahira triumphed in two games over Cuba’s Juan Carlos Bencomo and Leyanis Contreras, while Brazilian pairs rounded out the podium placements.

The Bolivian National Team Experience

Roughly twenty Bolivian players stepped onto the international stage, offering home fans a rare chance to watch national competitors test themselves against seasoned professionals. Juanita Siviora, recognized as Bolivia’s top badminton player and a native of Chuquisaca, spearheaded the local contingent, reaching the semifinals in the women’s doubles category alongside Fabiana Tolavi while putting up strong fights in singles.

Local prospects Gabriel Rosales of Chuquisaca and Verónica Condori of Oruro also used the home tournament as a vital springboard. Both athletes previously competed at the 2024 I Juegos Bolivarianos de la Juventud in Sucre and are slated to travel to Asunción, Paraguay, for the upcoming Junior Pan American Games.

Looking Ahead for Bolivian Badminton

Reflecting on the conclusion of the event, Federación Boliviana de Bádminton president Cindy Avendaño expressed optimism for the future despite administrative hurdles and the initial lack of institutional backing from certain authorities. Avendaño confirmed that officials are already planning subsequent competitions aimed at keeping national athletes on a trajectory toward international podiums.

With the Max Toledo coliseum successfully retaining its legacy infrastructure from the regional youth games, the national federation intends to leverage the venue for ongoing training and future international fixtures. The next major test for the country’s rising talent pool arrives next month at the Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay, where Sucre’s standout juniors will seek to translate their home-court experience onto the continental stage.