Venezuelan Julio Mayora contributed 2 gold medals at the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games 2026

Published at: 06/08/2026 11:06 PM

Julio Mayora maintained his regional dominance when he was proclaimed absolute champion in Santo Domingo, for the third time in a row, absolute champion of his weightlifting category at the Central American Games, on a productive day for this discipline with another pair of golds from Genesis Rodríguez, a golden fifth and the solitary silver of Reinner Arango.

The silver medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games once again demonstrated his power on the platform to wipe out 79 kilograms without failing any of his attempts.

Marked distance

In the first mode of the start, Mayora marked a distance from the first uprising with 147 kilos, to which only the Cuban Edisnel Corrales responded with 150, while the Colombian Juan Martínez stalled at 146 and failed in his next two presentations of 150 and 152.

Champion in Barranquilla 2018 and San Salvador 2023, Mayora secured gold in the only time with 151 kg, after Corrales ran out of strength when he tried to beat the Venezuelan and failed to lift 153.

With the first gold in her pocket, followed by Corrales (150) and Martínez (146), Mayora faced both times with greater serenity and confidence, where she has no rivals on the continent.

Colossal triumph

First he raised 186 and then with 189 he had already pulverized the Neo-Granada Martinez who could only with 187 and collapsed with 190, and the Cuban or Corrales who managed to lift 187 on his third attempt.

Instead, Mayora went by a whopping 193 in her last chance and wiped out her rivals.

“This is a joy for all of La Guaira, I experienced this tragedy, with buildings falling and people screaming, so my heart goes out to you. That's why I came, with a lot of gallantry and strength to bring that joy to all of Venezuela and my state,” said the pride of the Santa Eduvigis neighborhood in Catia La Mar.

He went back to the top

For his part, Genesis Rodríguez returned to the top of the Central American Games, doubling gold in the 58 kg category.

Rodriguez made his debut in Veracruz 2014 with gold and silver in the 53 kg, doubled the gold in Barranquilla 2018, but settled for the bronze medal in envión in the 59 kg in San Salvador 2023.

In the new 58 kg category, she won gold at the start with her first attempt of 95 kg, after failing to climb 100 kg. The Dominican Alicia Feliz came in 91 in her second appearance to win silver and Mexican bronze also with 91 but in three attempts.

The two-stroke modality is dominated by Rodríguez in a closer fight with the Quisqueyana. She won the fight by raising 117 on her second attempt and the local weightlifter won the silver when she reached 116, while the bronze went to Puerto Rican Issi Agrait with 111.

“I dedicate this medal to our entire country that experienced the tragedy of the double earthquake a month ago. We Venezuelans are fighters and warriors and we must trust more, have faith and be more united,” stressed the five-time winner of gold medals at the CAC Games.

Venezuelan weightlifting counts 7 golds, 4 silver and 1 bronze (12) to lead this discipline, followed by Colombia (4-1-3, 8) and Mexico (3-3-1, 7).

Mazo News Team