Havana, May 1 (RHC) – Cuban Marifelix Sarría, world runner-up in the +86 kilogram division, won gold, silver, and bronze medals today at the 2026 Pan American Weightlifting Championship in Panama.
The Cienfuegos native secured the gold medal in the clean and jerk, completing her first attempt at 156 kilograms and then successfully lifting 161.
For her third attempt, she requested 164 kg, but this proved elusive, although she managed to lift and hold the bar. According to the judges, a flexion of her elbows resulted in the lift being invalidated.
Ecuadorian Liseth Ayovi (160 kg) and American Mary Theisen-Lappen (159 kg) finished second and third, respectively, in that event.
Previously, in the snatch, Sarría completed lifts of 114, 117, and 119 kilograms, earning her third place on the podium. The gold medal went to Ayovi (121 kg), and the silver to Venezuelan Naryury Pérez (120 kg). In biathlon, the Ecuadorian representative won the gold medal with a total of 281 kg, Sarría finished second with one kilogram less, and Theisen-Lappen took the bronze with a total of 271 kg.
Marifelix’s excellent performance complements that of Otto Oñate, who won three silver medals in the 60 kg category. Thus, Cuba concludes its participation with one gold, four silver, and one bronze medal. Furthermore, its athletes strengthened their preparation for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, as both are strong contenders for gold.
