Hosts power through at Veracruz 2023 World Cup

Mexico were one of the big victors at their home Veracruz 2023 World Cup after an exhilarating three days of action came to a close on Saturday. 

In what was the final stop on the road to the Para Powerlifting World Championships, the hosts achieved success on each day (multiple times in the first two) and saw both established legends of the sport and international newcomers top the podiums.

The Greats delivered

When you have got a rollcall that includes Amalia Perez and Patricia Barcenas, you know you are destined for something quite special. That is exactly how it proved to be, as both Mexican legends eased to victories in the up to 61kg and over 86kg categories, respectively. 

Multiple-time Paralympic gold medallist Perez was almost a cert from the moment the weekend began, and she completed a 128kg to finish well ahead of her second placed fellow lifter, Miriam Aguilar Jimenez.

The veteran Barcenas lifted 30kg more than anybody else, completing all three lifts with the top weight coming in at 135kg. 

Mexicans brought their A-game

World champion at Mexico City 2017, Jose Castillo was not to be beaten in the men’s up to 107kg. His lifts just kept getting more impressive, culminating in a gold for his 235kg.

We have covered the names you know, but what about those you might not be so familiar with? On home soil, Anthony Gaeta not only nailed a lifetime best of 155 in the men’s 97kg category, but he left with the gold in a statement-making appearance in Veracruz.  

Breaking bests and making names

Did anyone have a more impressive weekend than Jesus Cuevas Cisneros? If so, we are here for the names. The Cuban was in astonishingly good form in the men’s 72kg, nailing all three of his lifts to not only win the total lift, but also top best lift with a 165. All this coming on his international debut and recording a personal record in the process.

Chile’s Jorge Carinao is certainly another one in with a shout of the weekend greatness though. His huge lift of 195kg went down as an Americas record in the men’s 56kg. 

There was a lifetime best too for Cuban star Leidy Rodriguez. 92kg was her best effort, winning the women’s 45kg. Another Rodriguez – Jesus – also got a lifetime best, as the man from Dominican Republic edged to victory in the men’s 80kg, lifting 182 to finish ahead of Cuba’s Jesus Drake Vega.

And in the Team events, it was all gold for Chile. They claimed women’s, men’s and the mixed team top spots on the final day of action to bring Veracruz 2023 to a close.

For all the results, please visit here.

What’s next?

Two words: World Championships. It is to Dubai that we go in August as the best in the world come together to battle it out to be crowned world champion. The World Championships will take place from 22-30 August, and we can’t wait!

From there, it is continental for the remainder of the year with the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China and the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile.