Billar gave Venezuela Gold and Silver at the 2026 South American Games

Published at: 13/09/2026 07:35 PM

In its first historic participation in the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games as a guest sport, billiards awarded Venezuela its first two medals with Flailin Guanipa winning gold and Johanna Espinoza winning silver.

Guanipa showed an effectiveness of 58.3% in tables won, in addition to completing two break-and-run executions, an action that consists of closing the table after serving, a result that allowed him to stay alive in the competition after the stumble against Block.

In the semifinals, the Venezuelan defeated Colombian Jorge Arcos 7-5 to settle in the grand final, after a high-tension duel that lasted 1 hour and 37 minutes, in which Guanipa once again showed patience and precision to prevail with 58.3% effectiveness in winning tables (frames won).

Golden rematch

In the grand final, the Argentinian Braian Block expected again, the same rival who hours before had sent the Venezuelan on the road to the repechage.

But this time Guanipa took the rematch and defeated the Argentine representative 7-5, winning the gold medal in the men's 10 ball and becoming the first champion in the history of the South American Games.

Guanipa will now have a new challenge this Sunday, when he faces Uruguayan Santiago Silvera in the Heyball category, with the aim of continuing to advance in the competition.

Women's Podium

For his part, Espinoza secured the second Venezuelan billiards medal in these Games in his Heyball debut.

Espinoza began his participation with authority against Chile's Susana Barrera, whom he defeated 5-1 in a match that lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes and then achieved a new victory, this time against Peru's Victoria Vásquez, who he beat 5-3, a result that allowed him to advance to the semifinals.

In the title match, played at table 11, the Venezuelan faced Argentina's Soledad Ayala and gave up 5-3, a result that won her the silver medal.

Mazo News Team