Bariloche, Day 3: Local fans celebrate Ullua’s gold; double win for Venezuela

Local fans had good reasons to celebrate the third day of the Pan-American Championships, taking place in Bariloche, as Argentinean Tatiana Ullua shone in the women’s 64kg, taking the gold medals at stake. In the snatch, Ullua lifted 92kg, followed by a 111kg effort in the clean and jerk and a winning total of 203kg. In the other two finals of the day, Venezuela controlled operations, with gold going to Julio Mayora Pernia in the men’s 73kg and to Darvin Castro Palma in the men’s 81kg.

In Ullua’s event, the second best of the session was Sema Ludick Rivas (NCA), collecting the three silver linings with 88-110-198. The bronze medals went to Canada’s Nadia Yangui, who lifted 86-107-193.

In the men’s lighter category, US Ryan Grimsland had to content with silver, after lifting 141kg in snatch and a subsequent 182kg in the clean & jerk (total of 323kg). The bronze went to Jorge Cardenas Estrada (MEX) in the snatch (140kg) and total (310kg), while a second US representative, Caden Cahoy, completed the podium in the clean & jerk (171kg).

In the men’s 81kg, Palma’s win was also undisputed. Local star Dante Pizzuti earned three silver medals, with respectively 142kg, 175kg and 317kg in the snatch, C&J and total. The bronze linings went to two lifters: in the snatch, Samuel Guertin (CAN) lifted 140kg, which contributed to a third-total best of 310kg. In the clean and jerk, the third position also went to Canada, with Nicolas Vachon successfully lifting 174kg.