Alfonso Mestre in swimming and Katherine Echandía in weightlifting added silver to the delegation.
Venezuelan Julio Mayora won the first gold medal for Venezuela at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. He did it in weightlifting, -73 kilos category.
He lifted a total of 342 kilos, with 154 in the snatch and 188 in the clean and jerk. In this way he reissued the Pan American gold and remained perfect in his Olympic cycle, winning all competitions.
Thus he surpassed Colombian Luis Mosquera, who took silver with his 333. Mexican Jorge Cárdenas took bronze with 317 total.
🥇Julio Mayora es de Oroooooooooo 🥇
El levantador de pesas conquistó la primera dorada para Venezuela en Santiago 2023 con un total de 342 kg alzados. 154 kg en arranque y 188 kg en envión.
Celebra toda la nación con nuestro crack olimpicooooooo#santiago2023 pic.twitter.com/46ydVlMfD3
— Comité Olímpico Venezolano (@OfficialCOV) October 22, 2023
The weightlifters won another medal that day, with silver for Katherine Echandía in the 49 kilo category.
He lifted 84 kilos in the snatch, 105 in the clean and jerk for a total of 189.
At -61 kilos Wilkeinner Lugo finished in fourth place, with 125 kg in the snatch and 149 kg in the clean and jerk, for a total of 274 kg.
Silver medal in 400 meters
Swimming, especially Alfonso Mestre, was responsible for giving Venezuela its first medal in the competition. It was a silver in the 400 meter freestyle.
He clocked 3:47.62, 83 tenths behind Brazilian Guilherme Costa, who set a new Pan American record with a time of 3:46.79. American James Plage won bronze.
“I have high expectations for this first Pan American. I gave my best, happy with the first medal,” said Alfonso, 22, who trains at the University of Florida, to The Associated Press.
“I hope to give more in the coming days,” he added.
His hopes are in the 800 meters that he will compete soon at the recently inaugurated Aquatic Center at the National Stadium, although it is impossible not to think about Paris.
“We are happy to be at the same level as the elite athletes. We hope to get the Mestre surname as high as possible and, God willing, leave a good role in these Pan American Games and in Paris 2024,” concluded the Venezuelan swimmer when talking about his brother, who will also be participating in the competition.
Alfonso Mestre: "Estoy feliz con el resultado"
El nadador sumó la primera medalla para Venezuela en #Santiago2023 y además su primera medalla en #JuegosPanamericanos. pic.twitter.com/I3DqD3uSSm
— Comité Olímpico Venezolano (@OfficialCOV) October 21, 2023
In 3×3 basketball, both teams won. The women defeated Jamaica 21-17 and the men defeated Haiti 21-16.
In the case of women, the best is Luisanny Zapata (11 pts, 4/4 T2), in men Nelson Palacios (9 pts, 4/7 T2).
The women’s 3×3 and men’s 3×3 will end their participation in the group stage of the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games this Sunday. Chamas will face Puerto Rico (1:00 pm) and Chamos will face Brazil (3:30 pm), reports the Venezuelan Basketball Federation.
Remember that this Sunday is the quarterfinals of the event: from 4:00 pm in the women’s 3×3 and from 6:00 pm in the men’s 3×3.
