Venezuelan judo won three bronze medals in Santo Domingo

The Venezuelan judo team opened its participation this Saturday with three bronze medals won by Gabriela Miranda (-48), Audreys Pacheco (-57) and Willis García (-66), in addition to making their debut on the mat of the El Centro Olimpic Pavilion at the Santo Domingo Central American and Caribbean Games.

Miranda secured bronze in the -48 kilos category by beating Cuba's Yainet Coronado, as well as maintaining the advantage of a yuko achieved at minute 1:17 of the fight, despite receiving two shidos in the minutes 02:57 and 03:47, the Ministry of Sports reported.

In the third place definition of -57 kilos, Pacheco resolved the fight with an ippon in just 31 seconds, in addition to clearly prevailing against the Cuban Lian Benvides to secure the metal.

García completed the harvest by beating Guatemalan David de León with a waza-ari in 22 seconds, while the rival accumulated two shidos at 02:57, so the bronze was in the hands of the Venezuelan.

“It was an intense fight from the start and I managed to take advantage of the first opportunity to score,” Garcia said.

In other results, Leomarys Ruiz (-52) fell by ippon to Dominican Samantha Josefa at 1:10 in the bronze fight, in addition to being left out of the podium in her category.