Bogota 2018: Fairy tale ending for Fabio Torres

Hosts Colombia celebrated on the last day of competition on Sunday (11 December) as Fabio Torres and Jhon Castaneda took gold at the 2018 World Para Powerlifting Americas Open Championships in Bogota.

World Championships bronze medallist Torres lifted 218kg on his second attempt in the men’s up to 97kg to outdo his silver medal-performance from 2015 and claim his first continental title.

Brazilian Rodrigo Marques (187kg) and Chilean Frank Feliu (177kg) followed him into the podium.

Two sets of medals are awarded in each event at the Championships. The top three Americas powerlifters win medals for being the best in their region. As well as that, the top three powerlifters overall also receive gold, silver and bronze.

Torres also ended top of the overall podium, but this time ahead of China´s Huichao Cai (216kg) and Marques.

Castaneda qualified for his first Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in 2020, following an Americas record performance at Bogota 2018. The 38-year-old cleared the bar at 212kg in the men’s over 107kg, overtaking the mark of 203kg he had set at the 2017 World Championships.

The Colombian was followed by Mexico’s Miguel Melendez (185kg) and Brazil’s Christian Porteiro (176kg).

Castillo Castillo delivers

Mexico´s reigning world champion had no major issues in winning the men´s up to 107kg title, repeating his success from three years ago in Mexico City.

The Parapan American champion, who has proven to be a dominant force in the continent and one of the world´s strongest, seeks to win at Tokyo 2020 the last gold medal he still has not claimed.

Mateus de Assis Silva (207kg) secured silver, while USA´s Jacob Schrom failed his three attempts and left medal-less.

Favourites defeated

While everyone was expecting hosts favourite Jainer Cantillo or Paralympic silver medallist Evanio Da Silva to win the men´s up to 88kg, it was Cuban Oniger Drake Vega who finally topped the podium.

Cuba´s Parapan American champion lifted 207kg, 1kg more than Brazil´s second-placed Da Silva. Cantillo had a disappointing performance on home ground, failing his three 213kg attempts. USA´s Ahmed Shafik (175kg) then ended third.

In the overall podium, Vega was followed by Da Silva and India´s Sachin Chaudhary (198kg).

Brazil ended top of the medals table ahead of Colombia and Mexico.

Full results are available on the Bogota 2018 website.