Julián Andrés Santa
Next Thursday, November 28, the first edition of the National Youth Games will culminate, where several disciplines have already completed their competitions, so evaluations can begin to be made and conclusions drawn. As far as Risaralda is concerned, the two sports in which the best performance was achieved were: archery and sports shooting. Both occupied third place in the general table, which reflects the good sporting reserve they have for upcoming sports competitions at the national and international level.
The Risaraldense delegation won five medals in these sporting events: two gold with Juliana Gallego López, one in the women’s individual compound and another in the 50-meter double series sum, in the women’s compound. The remaining three were bronze in the men’s team competition with José Miguel Vergara, Miguel Castilla and Juan David Garzón.
In mixed team composition, third place was also obtained with Juan David Garzón and Juliana Gallego, while the third bronze medal was in women’s team composition with Isabel Blumenthal, Karen Arias and Juliana Gallego. The overall podium was led by Antioquia and Bogotá finished in second place.
Like archery, in sports shooting Risaralda ranked third, below the first place, which was Bogotá, winner of eight medals, and in second place, Cundinamarca with seven. The Risaraldense delegation won three: a gold with Mariana Morales, a silver with Valeria Caro and a bronze with Federico Mejía.
Continuing with the good performance of the individual disciplines, boxing ranked fourth in the country having won five medals, of which two were gold and three were bronze. The gold ones with the revelation athletes Jannin Samanta Gómez and Juan Esteban Osorio. For their part, the bronze medals were won by Kevin Andrés Bedoya, Andrés Jiménez and Yabián Zúñiga.
As this publishing house had already reported in a note last Tuesday, November 19, Risaraldense athletics occupied fifth place in the general table of the national youth competitions, with the aggravating factor that in our department there is no athletic track, compared to the other delegations of the country, which further magnifies the task carried out by the Risaralda athletes.
The great challenge in Risaralda must be to promote more paranational sports in the reserve, that is, in the youth, since the department only participates in these competitions with two disciplines, paraswimming that has already culminated with a good performance winning seven medals and boccia that does not compete yet.
In the seven medals that Risaralda has so far won in the Youth Paranationals, the paraswimmer David Soto was present, who in the 4×100 relay event was accompanied by Santiago Muñoz, Nicolás Arboleda and Sebastián Marín.
How does teamwork impact the performance of athletes in team events like those witnessed at the National Youth Games?
Interview: Time.news Editor with Sports Expert Julián Andrés Santa
Editor: Welcome, Julián! It’s great to have you with us today to discuss the recently concluded National Youth Games. What an exciting event it must have been, especially for the athletes competing from Risaralda.
Julián Andrés Santa: Thank you for having me! It’s been a thrilling experience, and I’m proud to share the successes of our athletes from Risaralda.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Risaralda’s performance seems commendable, especially in archery and sports shooting, where the region secured third-place finishes overall. What do you think contributed to this success?
Julián Andrés Santa: Absolutely! The achievements in archery and sports shooting can be attributed to a well-structured training program combined with the dedication of our young athletes. We have a strong sporting reserve, which bodes well for future competitions. The coaches have also played a crucial role in instilling techniques that are competitive on a national level.
Editor: It’s wonderful to hear that about the coaches! Now, I noticed that Juliana Gallego López stood out, winning two gold medals. Can you elaborate on her performances and what they mean for Risaralda’s archery scene?
Julián Andrés Santa: Juliana’s achievements are indeed remarkable! Winning gold in both the women’s individual compound and the 50-meter double series demonstrates her versatility and skill. Her success is a significant boost for future athletes in Risaralda, as she serves as a role model and an example of what can be achieved with hard work. This can inspire a new generation of archers in the region.
Editor: That’s so inspiring! Now, besides Juliana, the team competitions also saw some success. Can you tell us about the dynamics of the team events, especially how they contributed to Risaralda’s medal tally?
Julián Andrés Santa: Certainly! Team events often require athletes to not only excel individually but to also mesh well as a unit. The bronze medals in both the men’s and women’s team competitions show that our athletes have not only individual talent but also teamwork. Athletes like José Miguel Vergara, Miguel Castilla, and Juan David Garzón worked harmoniously, which is crucial in team dynamics, and it was exciting to see that reflected in their performance.
Editor: It must have been a thrilling contest, especially with the overall podium led by Antioquia and Bogotá. How do you view the competitive landscape in these events? What might it indicate about the future of sports in Colombia?
Julián Andrés Santa: The competition is fierce, and it indicates that there’s a healthy sports culture in Colombia, particularly among the youth. Antioquia and Bogotá consistently produce talented athletes, and by performing well against them, we can see that Risaralda is developing its sports programs effectively. This competitiveness bodes well for our representation at national and international levels, fostering growth as we nurture more young athletes through these experiences.
Editor: Speaking of the future, how do you envision the development of archery and sports shooting in Risaralda as we prepare for upcoming competitions?
Julián Andrés Santa: I believe we are at a pivotal point. With the recognition gained from the National Youth Games, I anticipate increased investment in these disciplines. We may see more training camps, better resources, and greater community support, which can help elevate our athletes. The key will be to keep the momentum by engaging young individuals and ensuring access to quality coaching and facilities.
Editor: That sounds promising for the future of sports in Risaralda. As we wrap up, do you have any final thoughts or messages for the supporters and aspiring athletes?
Julián Andrés Santa: I’d like to encourage everyone to keep supporting our athletes. Every cheer, every bit of encouragement helps them strive for excellence. To aspiring athletes, remember that dedication, practice, and teamwork are the pillars of success. The future is bright, and your passion can lead to great achievements!
Editor: Thank you, Julián! It’s been enlightening discussing the National Youth Games and the future of sports in Risaralda. We look forward to seeing more outstanding performances from your region in the coming years.
Julián Andrés Santa: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share our achievements and ambitions.