Reigning Paralympic champions Mariana D’Ándrea and Tayana Medeiros struck gold in their respective categories as Brazil topped the Para powerlifting medals table at the Para South American Games in Valledupar, Colombia.
The second edition of the Para South American Games marked the event’s return after a 12-year hiatus following the inaugural edition in Santiago, Chile, in 2014. Four regional records were set while a host of impressive performances were produced by Paralympic stars in Valledupar.
Results from the Para powerlifting competition can be found here. Fans can also relive all the action on YouTube.
Brazil lead the way
Arriving in Valledupar with all four of its Paris 2024 Paralympic medallists, Brazil relied on its women stars — and they delivered in style at the Gymnastics Coliseum of the Popular University of Cesar (UPC), a venue built in 2022 for the Bolivarian Games.
Brazil finished atop the medals table with 19 medals, including seven gold. Hosts Colombia followed with four gold medals, while Chile, Venezuela and Ecuador each secured two titles.
Competing in the combined women’s up to 73kg and up to 79kg categories, double Paralympic champion Mariana D’Ándrea produced three successful lifts, with her final lift of 142kg securing the gold medal. Fellow Brazilian Caroline Fernandes Alves claimed silver with 129kg.
Medeiros, who alongside D’Ándrea and Lara Aparecida de Lima won the women’s team title at the Cairo 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championships, added another gold for Brazil. She lifted 150kg to win her category and set a new Americas record.
Paris 2024 bronze medallist Lara Aparecida de Lima finished second in the women’s up to 41kg.
12 years later, the Para South American Games are making their grand return in Colombia! 🇨🇴
Get ready for 3 intense days of #ParaPowerlifting action featuring the continent’s biggest stars 🌎Read the full preview 🔗 https://t.co/EK1lEXt1n5
— Para Powerlifting (@Powerlifting) July 3, 2026
Double glory
In the men’s competition, Mateus de Assis Silva, silver medallist in the men’s up to 97kg at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games, claimed gold in the men’s up to 107kg with a final lift of 218 kg.
The victory also made Mateus the first Brazilian powerlifter to win medals at two editions of the South American Para Games. The athlete from Minas Gerais took bronze in the men’s up to 97kg at the 2014 edition, a result that inspired him to continue progressing in the sport.
“I was a 16-year-old boy, in my second international competition. Before that, I had only done one Youth Parapan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. So, I was very new to the sport. Seeing how much I’ve grown since 2014 only brings me happiness,” said de Assis Silva, the only remaining member of Brazil’s powerlifting team from Santiago 2014.
Among Brazil’s other gold medallists were Cairo 2025 World Championships medallists Marco Tulio de Oliveira Cruz (men’s up to 49kg) and Gustavo Amaral Melo de Souza, who set a new Americas record with a winning lift of 252kg in the men’s over 107kg.
Records continue to fall
Several other top names also enjoyed success in Valledupar.
Reigning Paralympic and world champion Clara Fuentes was among the biggest stars of the competition. The Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games champion lifted 122kg to win the women’s up to 50kg title while setting a new Americas record.
Ecuador’s reigning junior world champion Kerly Lascano led her country’s campaign with three successful lifts. Her final effort of 118kg secured gold in the women’s up to 41kg and established another new Americas record.
“I had great mental strength; with the first attempt I felt very confident and that’s how I made it to the end to get first place. I like Valledupar; these are my first South American Para Games,” said Lascano after finishing ahead of Brazil’s Lara Aparecida de Lima and Venezuela’s Amanda Bastidas.
Home celebrations
The home crowd celebrated several memorable performances, led by veteran Fabio Torres.
The two-time Paralympic and World Championships medallist and reigning Parapan American Games champion lived up to expectations by winning the men’s up to 97kg with a lift of 220kg.
Bryan Steven Balanta Barona also delighted the Colombian fans, lifting 198kg with his final attempt to win the men’s up to 65kg and set a new regional record.
Colombia’s other gold medallists included Huver Mondragon Sinisterra (men’s up to 88kg) and Maria Jose Movilla Perea (women’s up to 45kg).
The Valledupar 2026 Para South American Games featured 18 individual events (11 men’s and nine women’s) as well as three team events (men’s, women’s and mixed).
