Natalia Odreman reported the only medal achieved by Venezuelan judo in the Pan American and Oceania Championship which was held in Lima.
The native of Bolívar state qualified for the -44 kilograms grand final, after getting rid of the Brazilian Thayssa Assis in the semis, but in the fight for the gold medal she gave in to the Colombian Manuela Crespo and finally stayed with a valuable runner-up continental.
Second podium of the year for Natalia Odreman
Odreman, 14 years old, is one of the relay figures of Venezuelan judo, she comes from being champion of her weight in the National Sports Games and has a ticket to defend the national flag in the South American Games in Rosario, set to be held between 28 April and May 8 of this year.
The one in Lima represents the second podium of the year for the Guyanese, after the sealed title in the so-called ‘Olympics’ of Venezuelan sport, last February.
Leomaris Ruiz, Luis Pariche, Eduardo Franco and Francisco López also participated in the Pan-American event in the cadet category, but they did not make it to the medal fights.
The competition served as a prelude to the Senior Pan American Championship, which will also be in the Peruvian capital and will have the participation of Venezuela, with a team headed by the Olympians Anriquelis Barrios, Elvismar Rodríguez and Karen León.
Written by: Carlos José Méndez / @CarlitosJMendez
Photo: Courtesy
