The Daily Journal. — Venezuela concluded its participation in the XIII South American Games in Santa Fe 2026 with 44 gold, 40 silver, and 44 bronze medals, for a total of 128 medals, surpassing its results at the previous editions in Asunción 2022 and Cochabamba 2018.
The delegation secured fourth place in the overall medal standings. This achievement marks a significant improvement in the country’s sporting performance, as Venezuela reached the 44-gold milestone at a South American Games edition for the first time.
The final tally of 44 gold, 40 silver, and 44 bronze medals (128 in total) placed Venezuela fourth on the continent, behind Brazil (263 medals), Argentina (240), and Colombia (158). However, only a handful of gold medals separated Venezuela from Chile, its closest competitor, keeping the race for fourth place competitive until the final days.
Venezuela’s performance stood out for its breadth, with athletes winning gold medals across more than 20 disciplines, reflecting sporting development beyond the country’s traditional strengths.
Wrestling emerged as Venezuela’s most productive sport, finishing with 8 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal, matching the 31 gold medals achieved in Asunción 2022 and reaffirming the country’s status as a regional powerhouse.
Victories by Raiber Rodríguez in the Greco-Roman 60 kg division and Luis Avendaño in the 87 kg category proved decisive in securing Venezuela’s championship title in the discipline. Wrestling became the backbone of the country’s medal tally, contributing a significant share of its total gold medals.
Karate enjoyed one of its most successful days on September 23, when Venezuela claimed 3 gold medals and 1 bronze in a single day, bringing the country’s gold medal count to 39 at that point. Oriana Rodríguez won the women’s +68 kg kumite event, Ricardo Pérez claimed gold in men’s individual kata, and Joaquín Sánchez won the men’s +84 kg kumite title.
The following day, Jesús Castro and Claudymar Garcés added two more kumite gold medals, bringing Venezuela’s tally to a historic 44 gold medals and surpassing all previous records. Karate finished with 5 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal, establishing itself as a pillar of Venezuela’s success.
Athletics contributed multiple medals, particularly in sprint events. Orangys Jiménez claimed the South American women’s 100-meter title in 11.39 seconds, delivering Venezuela’s 34th gold medal of the competition. Venezuela also won gold in the mixed 4×100-meter relay, while the men’s 4×100-meter relay earned silver.
In other track and field events, Javier Gómez took silver in the 400 meters with a time of 45.48 seconds, while Carlos Córdoba added bronze in the decathlon. Mariangelic Rojas completed Venezuela’s athletics campaign with a silver medal in the heptathlon, rounding out a strong performance in one of the Games’ premier disciplines.
Swimming enjoyed a memorable moment on September 14 when Jorge Otaiza and Lismar Lyon achieved a historic double victory in the 50-meter butterfly. Otaiza won in 23.60 seconds, while Lyon claimed her title in 26.38 seconds, securing two gold medals for Venezuela.
Lyon delivered another outstanding performance by winning the 100-meter butterfly in 59.52 seconds. Otaiza also earned silver in the men’s 100-meter freestyle, while Manuel Díaz took silver in the 200-meter butterfly in 1:57.87. Winston Rodríguez and Mercedes Toledo completed Venezuela’s swimming medal haul with bronze medals in the 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter breaststroke, respectively.
Cycling found its leading figure in Leangel Linarez, who accumulated 158 points to win gold in the omnium, securing Venezuela’s first cycling title at Santa Fe 2026.
In track cycling, Verónica Abreu earned silver in the women’s omnium, while the men’s team pursuit squad claimed bronze. In BMX Racing, Jholman Sivira captured bronze with a time of 32.769 seconds. In BMX Freestyle, Edy Alviarez qualified for the final, while Sivira added another bronze medal.
Boxing celebrated a historic day on September 18 when Venezuela’s women’s team captured 4 gold medals in a single day. Omailyn Alcalá won the 57 kg title after defeating Brazil’s Jucielen Romeu, while Diana Maestre claimed gold in the 54 kg division by defeating Argentina’s Melanie Martínez.
Maryelis Yriza became champion in the 75 kg division after defeating Argentina’s Lorena Balbuena 4-1. Venezuela’s boxing and rowing teams each returned home with 9 medals.
Venezuelan judo finished as South American runner-up after an impressive campaign that yielded 2 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze medals, placing second behind Brazil.
Anriquelis Barrios in the -63 kg division and Elvismar Rodríguez in the -78 kg category won gold, while Angello Urbano, Samuel Corzo, Gabriela Miranda, Eliana Aguiar, and Karen León earned silver.
Venezuela also earned bronze in the mixed team event after defeating Chile, completing a strong showing on the tatami.
Camila Obando and Cristina Gómez won gold in women’s table tennis doubles after defeating Chile’s Daniela Ortega and Paulina Vega 3-1 in a 31-minute final. The victory brought Venezuela its 35th gold medal and made table tennis one of the delegation’s most successful disciplines.
Weightlifting contributed several gold medals, led by Julio Mayora, who claimed his third South American title in the 75 kg category with a combined total of 332 kg after lifting 145 kg in the snatch and 187 kg in the clean and jerk.
Yilihannys Jiménez dominated the 57 kg division with a total of 199 kg, while Katherin Echandía won the 53 kg title with a combined lift of 198 kg. Naryury Pérez added another gold in the +86 kg category, while Dionangel Vargas earned silver in the 70 kg division.
Venezuelan fencing celebrated victories by Gabriel Lugo, who captured gold in men’s individual épée after defeating Brazil’s Nicolas Deguchi 15-13, and Katherine Paredes, who won the women’s individual saber title against Argentina’s María Perroni.
The men’s épée team added silver in the team competition, completing another successful campaign for Venezuela.
Several sports celebrated unprecedented milestones at Santa Fe 2026.
Billiards, which participated as an invitational sport for the first time, delivered Venezuela’s first medals through Flailin Guanipa (gold in 10-ball), Johanna Espinoza (silver in Heyball), and William Villanueva (bronze in three-cushion carom).
The modern pentathlon also made a successful debut. Albert Rivas claimed individual bronze before joining Ariana Vivenes to win gold in the mixed event, sealing a dramatic victory in the final meter.
Esports, which made its debut in South American Games history, saw Jorge Juares earn silver in EA Sports FC.
Women’s soccer secured its second consecutive South American title after defeating Chile 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, thanks to a last-minute goal by Karla Alfonzo.
Goalkeeper Valeria Rebanales emerged as the shootout hero after saving two penalties.
Women’s softball also captured gold with an undefeated record after defeating Brazil 8-0. Meanwhile, Laura Oses won gold in bocce (women’s individual volo), and Sabrina Baumgartner claimed the title in speed climbing.
In Basque pelota, Julieta Rangel added another gold medal for Venezuela.
In gymnastics, Alida Rojo and Parvati Alberti earned silver in synchronized trampoline, while the rhythmic gymnastics team collected silver medals in the three-hoop and two-club events.
Venezuela’s participation in Santa Fe 2026 marks a turning point for national sports. With 44 gold medals and 128 medals overall, the country not only surpassed its performances in Asunción 2022 and Cochabamba 2018 but also demonstrated its ability to compete across multiple disciplines, from combat sports to swimming, athletics, cycling, and team events.
Wrestling, karate, women’s boxing, and weightlifting led the gold medal count, while successful debuts in billiards, modern pentathlon, and esports point to a promising future for Venezuelan sports on the South American stage.
