Aruban athlete Laertes Araque recently took part in the 2025 Pan American Senior Weightlifting Championship, held from July 12th to 18th in Cali, Colombia. The event took place at the Miguel Calero Coliseum in Valle del Cauca and brought together 189 male and female athletes from 23 countries across the Pan American region.
Araque competed in the 88 kg weight class, which featured a strong group of 16 competitors. He successfully lifted 115 kg in the snatch and 140 kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with a total of 255 kg. This result earned him 14th place in his category.
The Aruba Amateur Weightlifting Association expressed its sincere appreciation to the Pan American Weightlifting Federation for covering Araque’s travel and accommodation expenses. The association also extended congratulations to Ecuadorian coach Walter Llerena, who provided essential support to the Aruban athlete during the competition.
Araque’s participation highlights Aruba’s growing presence in regional weightlifting and reflects the dedication of local athletes and coaches working to raise the country’s profile in international sports.
