Sunday, October 22nd, 2023.- Weightlifting is continuing at the Gimnasio Chimkowe in the commune of Peñalolén. On Sunday, it was the turn of the 89-kilogram male category, where Venezuelan Keydomar Vallenilla was the main star. 

The native of La Guaira came to the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games as the top candidate to win the gold medal, as he holds the record in the discipline. He didn't disappoint and secured first place. 

Vallenilla was by far the best in the competition, demonstrating his strength in the Clean and Jerk, lifting 172 kilograms. He then completed the day with 211 kilograms, resulting in a total of 383 kilograms. 

In second place was the Colombian Yeison López (who won the snatch with a Pan American record of 177 kilograms), with a total of 382 kilograms, while the Cuban Olfides Sáez secured the third spot with 357 kilograms. 

In the 89-kilogram category, one of the main medal prospects for Team Chile was Arley Méndez, who fought for the medals but had to settle for fifth place with 356 kilograms. 

The Cuban-born Chilean had a shaky start, managing to lift only 160 kilograms in the snatch, the same weight he lifted in his second attempt. In the third attempt, he asked for 165 kilograms, which he didn't achieve. 

The 29-year-old competitor, who won the world championship in Anaheim, United States, in 2017, pinned his hopes on the clean and jerk, but he wasn't very successful, finishing with 196 kilograms, placing him in fourth place in that category. 

Written by Carlos Silva Rojas - Rodrigo Parragué; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport 
Ph: Diego Alvujar