Venezuelan judoka Jonhelius Patete wins bronze and pledges Olympic dream
Jonhelius Patete, a 22‑year‑old Venezuelan judoka, secured the bronze medal in the men’s under‑90 kg category at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, defeating Cuban opponent Naysdel Cardoso García. He dedicated the podium finish to the victims of the June 24 earthquakes that devastated Venezuela, which killed more than 5,500 people, injured over 16,000 and left nearly 18,000 homeless.
Patete was competing in Argentina when the quakes struck his homeland. He returned to Venezuela and continued training at the National Judo Center in Caracas, maintaining an eight‑hour‑daily routine of morning physical conditioning and afternoon judo sessions. The athlete said he never stopped training despite the disaster and highlighted his aim to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The victory adds valuable ranking points toward Olympic qualification and underscores Patete’s commitment to representing Venezuela on the international stage while drawing attention to the humanitarian situation at home.
Entities: Central American and Caribbean Games · Central American and Caribbean Games · Jonhelius Patete · Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games · Los Angeles 2028 Olympics · National Judo Center · Naysdel Cardoso García · Santo Domingo · Venezuela · Venezuela earthquakes (June 24)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Patete defeated Cuban judoka Naysdel Cardoso García in the bronze‑medal match. (supported_by)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela killed over 5,500 people, injured more than 16,000 and left nearly 18,000 homeless. (supported_by)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Patete is 22 years old. (supported_by)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Patete aims to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. (supported_by)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Patete dedicated his bronze medal to the victims of the June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela. (supported_by)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Patete trains eight hours per day, combining morning physical conditioning and afternoon judo sessions. (supported_by)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Patete was competing in Argentina when the June 24 earthquakes struck Venezuela. (supported_by)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Jonhelius Patete won a bronze medal in the men’s under‑90 kg judo event at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. (supported_by)