The Táchira wushu team is preparing to compete in the national qualifier for the Youth National Games in Carabobo, with the goal of securing as many qualification spots as possible and turning them into medal opportunities. The team hopes to improve on its previous performance, where it finished sixth overall with one gold and seven bronze medals.

With that objective, a delegation of 24 athletes departed this Wednesday for Carabobo. Under the guidance of coaches Francisco Villalta, Alfredo Cuevas, and Andreína Valdéz, the team has been refining its preparation to face a challenging competition against top representatives from 20 states across the country.

The event will take place from April 9 to 12 at the Naguanagua Sports Complex. The Táchira delegation aims to rank among the top contenders in each category.

“There are 24 medal opportunities offered by the national qualifier, Táchira will present one athlete in each division. We have 12 fighters in sanda—4 women and 8 men—while in forms we will present 6 male and 6 female athletes.” said Alfredo Cuevas, a long-time leader in the discipline.

The female combat team includes Dayana Romero (48 kg), Sofía Contreras (52 kg), Damaris Contreras (56 kg), and Paula Alviarez (60 kg). On the men’s side, competitors include Joneiker Peñaloza and Samuel Morantes (52 kg), Reinhol Carrero (56 kg), Jesús Rosales (60 kg), Orblande Villamizar (65 kg), Juan Lizcano (70 kg), Sebastián Sánchez (75 kg), and Miguel Pernalete (80 kg). Meanwhile, athletes will also compete in modern and traditional taolu categories across multiple disciplines.

“We have a strong delegation, and thanks to the support of the Táchira Sports Institute and the athletes’ families, we will have the necessary conditions to face these three days of competition. The most important goal is to qualify as many athletes as possible,” Cuevas stated.

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