Venezuelan women's table tennis team wins bronze at Santa Fe 2026

Published at: 26/09/2026 09:27 AM

Venezuelan players Roxy González, Camila Obando and Cristina Gómez closed Venezuela's participation in table tennis at the XIII South American Games Santa Fe 2026 with a bronze medal in the women's team competition, after falling in the semifinals to Brazil under the new 15-set format.

In the first game, Obando and Gómez yielded to Victoria Strassburger and Beatriz Kanashiro 11-8, 11-6 and 11-9. In the second game, Gonzalez lost to Giulia Takahashi 11-6, 11-3 and 11-7. Later, Gómez rallied 11-8, 13-11 and 11-13 against Kanashiro, and in the fourth match Obando fell 11-7 and 11-3 to Takahashi, a result that ruled the series, the Ministry of Sports reported.

“It really was a very difficult match, every point was fought from the start. The result was not given to us, but we gave the country a bronze medal. The next time I know that it will be golden and that will continue,” said Obando in a mixed zone, accompanied by her colleagues.

The tennis player highlighted the demand for the new format, which premiered in the tournament played at the Salvador Bonilla stadium of the Provincial Athletic Club and in which the team that reaches eight sets wins. “It was the first time for us to play this format. It's quite complicated; we literally can't lose a set, because it could cost you the whole game,” he said.

In the morning hours, the national team beat Ecuador 8-3 to enter the medal contest. With this result, Venezuela has two medals in table tennis in Santa Fe 2026, surpassing its performance in Asunción 2022.

Mazo News Team