Saturday, Oct 21st.- The high expectations surrounding weightlifting in multi-sport events were fully realized at the Pan American Games Santiago 2023, with an enthusiastic audience filling the Gimnasio Chimkowe.

The Caribbean countries had standout performances, with Cuban Arley Calderón taking first place in the 61-kilogram category and Dominican Dahiana Ortiz winning gold in the 49-kilogram category.

Venezuela also wanted to make its mark, closing the weightlifting day with an exciting victory in the male's 73-kilogram category, led by Julio Rubén Mayora.

The 27-year-old weightlifter successfully defended the gold he had won in Lima 2019, in a closely contested battle against Colombian Luis Mosquera. With 154 kilograms lifted in the snatch and an additional 188 kilograms in the clean and jerk, Rubén Mayora achieved a total of 342 kilograms and became the champion at Santiago 2023.

Mosquera took second place with a total of 333 kilograms, and the Mexican Jorge Cárdenas claimed the third spot with 317 kilograms.

Even though he didn't secure a medal, one of the most celebrated athletes in the category was Chilean Sergio Cares, who finished in seventh place with a total of 294 kilograms.

Written by Carlos Silva Rojas; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport
Photo: Luis Hidalgo / Santiago 2023 villa Photosport