Champions of a shattered nation: How two Venezuelan Olympians turned pain into podium finishes

Santo Domingo, Aug 9 — Two Venezuelan weightlifting Olympians have triumphed at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, transforming personal devastation into Olympic triumphs. Julio Mayora, a silver medalist from the 2020 Tokyo Games, lifted 151 kilograms to claim two gold medals. Earlier, he used his strength to rescue victims from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June.

Mayora's gold medals were dedicated to the earthquake victims, who numbered over 6,000, and he expressed his gratitude to the nation and his hometown La Guaira.

Marcel Hernandez, an Olympian from Caracas, also won a gold medal. He lost a promising weightlifter he trained, highlighting the broader impact of the earthquakes. Both athletes were motivated by the tragedy to inspire their countrymen, with Vallenilla emphasizing the determination of the Venezuelan people. Despite the losses, they both vow to bring joy to Venezuela and aim for gold in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.