Venezuelan table tennis athletes secured three medals at the 2024 ITTF South American Championships held in Santiago, Chile, from June 15 to June 21. Cristina Gómez earned a silver medal in the women’s singles category, while the men’s doubles team and the women’s team both claimed bronze, marking a significant step in the nation’s development program ahead of the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.
Results at the 2024 ITTF South American Championships
The Venezuelan delegation concluded the Santiago tournament with a total of three podium finishes. According to reports from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the competition served as a vital benchmark for regional rankings and international development.
Cristina Gómez delivered the most notable individual performance for the country. After defeating opponents from Brazil and Chile in the preliminary rounds, she reached the women’s singles final. Gómez ultimately finished second, securing the silver medal after a 4-0 loss to Chilean competitor Daniela Ortega.
In the team events, Venezuela added two bronze medals to its tally:
- Men’s Doubles: The pair of Raymundo Medina and César Castillo advanced through the early stages by defeating teams from Chile and Paraguay before falling to the Chilean duo in the semifinals with a 3-2 scoreline.
- Women’s Team: The squad, consisting of Cristina Gómez, Camila Obando, Roxy González, and Dakota Ferrer, earned bronze after a quarterfinal victory over Paraguay, followed by a semifinal defeat to Brazil.
Roberto Quijada’s Performance in Ostrava
While the national team competed in Santiago, Venezuelan para-athlete Roberto Quijada participated in the ITTF World Para Futures Ostrava in the Czech Republic. Quijada secured the gold medal in the Class 3 singles category, defeating Romania’s Dacian Makszin 3-1 in the final.
His path to the gold involved victories over competitors from Saudi Arabia, the Czech Republic, and France. Additionally, Quijada paired with Yoleidy Fernández to earn a bronze medal in the mixed doubles XD7 event, narrowly missing the final after a competitive match against the French pair.
Why This Matters for the 2026 Cycle
These results provide a performance baseline for the Venezuelan Table Tennis Federation as it looks toward the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games. Historically, the South American Championships function as the primary regional qualification and preparation arena for continental multidisciplinary events.
The shift toward younger talent in the women’s team, combined with the veteran presence of athletes like Quijada in the para-table tennis circuit, reflects a broader strategy to diversify the country’s medal potential. By securing podium finishes in both individual and team formats, the Venezuelan program has validated its current training methodology against regional powerhouses like Brazil and Chile.
Quick Summary: Venezuela’s Medal Haul
| Athlete/Team | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Cristina Gómez | Women’s Singles | Silver |
| Medina/Castillo | Men’s Doubles | Bronze |
| Women’s Team | Team Competition | Bronze |
| Roberto Quijada | Para Class 3 Singles | Gold |
| Quijada/Fernández | Para Mixed Doubles XD7 | Bronze |
Note: The 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games are scheduled to take place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, serving as a key milestone for the athletes who competed in Santiago and Ostrava.