Venezuelan tennis player Dakota Ferrer had a triumphant reception this Saturday

Published at: 18/04/2026 06:01 PM

This Saturday, April 18, the first gold medalist for Venezuela in the edition of the South American Youth Games Panama 2026, Dakota Ferrer, received a triumphant reception, with the presence of the Minister of Popular Power for Sports, Franklin Cardillo, family and teammates at Simon Bolivar International Airport, in Maiquetía.

The tennis player led the arrival of the delegation of the discipline that closed its participation last Friday, the Ministry of Popular Power for Sports (MPPD) reported on its website.

For the young sensation of discipline in the country, the surprise upon her arrival in Maiquetía was unexpected and rewarding because of the impression of meeting her family, friends and sports authorities who welcomed her in a warm embrace.

Ferrer went to the joust last Friday with the weight of the tricolor flag on his shoulders for being one of the flag bearers of the Venezuelan national team, a responsibility that gave him an extra boost to go for gold.

“When I found out that I was the flag bearer, I felt a little pressure, however, I knew I had to set an example, to do the best I could to inspire the athletes who would compete after me in other disciplines. Although for some there is a belief that the flag bearers don't win medals in the end, in my case this encouraged me to win,” he confessed confidently.

Upon her return to her homeland, she got off the plane full of tears and uncertainty, because she predicted that she would be steep and alone at the airport.

“I thought they wouldn't come to receive me and after I saw my aunt, Minister Franklin Cardillo, everyone, my heart grew small. Thanks to them, I achieved this goal, one more gold medal for the country,” said Ferrer.

Nothing impossible

The bar of events for Ferrer will be raised for the last half of the year, when he will face the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled from October 30 to November 13.

“Dakar 2026 is the goal. Venezuelan table tennis has already been allocated two places, and with the results I have obtained, I could be one of the players who represent the country in these children's Olympics,” said the brand-new champion about what would be the highest level event in her sporting history.

“There is nothing impossible, especially for Dakota,” she said, referring to herself about the possibility of taking a place on the podium in the October African joust.

“I need to increase my discipline, my compliance with my training and recover from injuries,” he explained.

Inspiring result

The high-level delegation that led the meeting was led by the Minister of Sports, Franklin Cardillo, who dedicated words of support and thanks to the heroine of table tennis.

In this regard, she stressed that “Dakota Ferrer serves as an inspiration to all the young people in our country who want to be like her, to all the children who are starting out in table tennis”.

Cardillo stressed that this harvest is the product of the joint work between associations, federations and the Ministry of Sports to recover the places of honor in the international sports concert.

“The triumphs of Dakota Ferrer in table tennis and Mía Garcés, the first in the history of our country to win a South American championship in artistic gymnastics in a multidisciplinary event, speak highly of all the work we are doing in the country, with a competitive system that is constantly in operation and that is beginning to bear fruit in each of the disciplines,” he explained.

The table tennis delegation was the first forward to return to the country after competing in the Panamanian regional joust.

This Sunday, the 19th, another group of athletes is scheduled to leave, who will take action in the second week of competition.

Mazo News Team