Colombia’s Kevin Andres Campaz conquered gold in weightlifting at the Panama 2026 Games. He claimed the gold medal in the 71-kilogram division during the opening day of weightlifting at the Panama 2026 South American Youth Games. Through a display of technical superiority on the platform, Campaz recorded an Olympic total of 265 kilos, securing a vital gold medal that keeps Colombia in contention for the top of the standings.
Colombia’s Kevin Andres Campaz conquers gold in weightlifting at Panama 2026 Games
His effectiveness in the two regulatory movements paved his path to the podium. In the snatch modality, Campaz lifted 119 kilograms, immediately entering the fight for first place. Subsequently, he confirmed his power in the clean and jerk by lifting 146 kilograms, a figure that allowed him to outpace his direct competitors and clinch the final victory.
The competition remained tight until the final attempts. The Colombian outperformed Ecuador’s Elvin Josue Arroyo, who took silver with a 262-kilo total. Venezuelan Osneiber Pirona completed the podium, earning bronze with a mark of 259 kilos. Campaz’s precision during his third clean and jerk attempt ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the national delegation.
Official medal table update
Following the latest updates from the Panama 2026 official results system, Colombia holds the fourth position in the overall medal table. The national delegation trails Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela, which gained an advantage through their results in swimming and artistic gymnastics. Campaz’s weightlifting victory provides a strategic boost for the Colombian team as they seek to close the gap against their rivals at the start of the combat competitions.
Notably, during the Asuncion 2022 edition, Colombia finished in second place behind Brazil with 255 total medals (79 gold, 78 silver, and 98 bronze). In the current edition, Colombia’s tally stands at 16 gold, 15 silver, and 33 bronze medals. The weightlifting schedule continues through the weekend, where Colombia expects to add new victories in the heavier weight categories for both men and women to climb the standings once again.
Projection of youth talent
Kevin Andres Campaz’s performance in Panama City establishes him as one of the most promising prospects in the Colombian sports reserve. This result validates the monitoring process that the Colombian Olympic Committee conducts on developing athletes.
Following the milestone on the track—where the national 4×400 mixed relay team set a new national record of 3:26.30 to take silver—Campaz’s medal strengthens the efforts of a delegation aiming to reclaim its place on the South American podium during the second half of the games.