Venezuela takes the lead in the Pan-American Junior Weight Championship with titles in three categories

Published at: 10/10/2026 08:13 PM

Venezuela won first place in the U-15, U-17 and U-20 categories in the Junior Pan American Weightlifting Championship in Tepic, Mexico; in a final round of seven gold medals, of which six were won by Bárbara Mendoza and Luis Espinosa. The new title for the national youth weightlifters was won with a total of 29 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze medals (43).

Criollo athletes demonstrated great performance

In the women's youth category of +86, Mendoza swept the trio of medals after winning 107 at the start, 130 in competition for a total of 237, with which she relegated Canada's Angel Billen to second place, who came in 97 and 124 (221), while Mexico's Ana Uzcanga finished third (96, 125/221).

There was also a gold medal as an adult in that division for Naryuri Pérez, who dominated the start with 115 kg, took bronze with a whopping 145 and the silver medal overall (260), below the Cuban Marifelix Sarría who shaded him with her 261, a product of her 110 and 151.

The high performance of the weightlifters was completed by Luis Espinosa (+110 kg), who carried the three golds with elevations of 1148 and 191 (339), to relegate the Guatemalan Enrique Sandoval (133, 160/293) to second place.

In addition to the collective title, the national weightlifters also won individual awards for their enormous performance on the 4×4 platform.

Ángel Rodríguez from Monagua received the men's distinction, where he won the three gold medals in the youth category (85 kg) and set the starting world record for this division by lifting 165 kg at the start.

For her part, the Guaireña Claudia Rengifo was the most outstanding in women's women than in the 68 kg youth category, she won the starting titles with 103, lifting 132 and a total of 239.

The new international challenge for national weights will be the World Championship in Ningbo, China, which will be held from October 27 to November 8.

Members of the Venezuelan youth delegation

Enderlin Ulacio

Ivanis Silva

Yilihannys Jimenez

Diana Bellotin

Claudia Rengifo

Keily Silva

Bárbara Mendoza

José Fuente

Luis Garcia

Alis Beroes

Ángel Rodríguez

Dionangel Vargas

Mauricio Loaiza

Luis Espinosa

Coaching team

Humberto Navarro

Ricardo Ibáñez

Liuzdy Farias

Julio Miranda

Lino Alfonzo

Carlos Pinto

José Caballero

Eudis Gamarra

Marcos Pacheco

Mazo News Team