Managua 2018: Power performance from hosts

Toronto 2015 Parapan American bronze medallist Fernando Acevedo and Enoc Ponza won two golds to help hosts Nicaragua top the powerlifting medals table at the Managua 2018 Para Central American Games.

Acevedo finished first in the men’s up to 80kg thanks to a 135kg lift. He was followed by Honduras’ Gabriel Zelaya (110kg) and Panama’s Gabriel Vasquez (95kg), who completed the podium.

“I am so happy because I could win this title in my country with my people. It is very special,” said Acevedo still fresh from claiming gold.

His compatriot Ponza took gold in the men’s up to 59kg with a 125kg lift, finishing ahead of El Salvador’s Ricardo Javier Ortiz (73kg). Ortiz’s teammate and Rio 2016 Paralympian Herbert Aceituno cleared the bar at 167kg to seal gold in the men’s 65kg.

Panama celebrated gold in the men’s up to 72kg, with Rey Dimas lifting 130kg to finish top of the podium way ahead of Costa Rica’s Randall Munguia Granados (85kg). Granados’ compatriot Sergio Muñoz (100kg) won the men’s 88kg, with Panama’s Eduardo Gutierrez (90kg) taking silver.

Guatemala also topped the podium through Cesar Echeverria in the men’s up to 49kg thanks to an 85kg lift.

More information is available on Managua 2018’s official website.