Venezuelan swordsmen aim to compete in Los Angeles 2028 (+Photos)

After finishing seventh in the men’s epee tournament in Paris 2024, Venezuela’s fencers are aiming to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where they hope to take a place on the podium.

The national cast, made up of brothers Francisco (37 years old), Rubén (39 and Jesús Limardo (28), as well as Grabiel Lugo (27), believes that it has the mission of winning a medal in the United States, since the national representation did not win any awards in the capital of France.

“This team will continue. I have a project with which I want to take three or four more athletes, so that they can continue together with this team that will work hard in preparation for Los Angeles. I hope that they continue to support us, because we will continue preparing this project for the country,” said Rubén Limardo to Aloys Marín, a journalist from the Venezuelan Olympic Committee (COV).

Cast achievement

The four swordsmen formed a team that was awarded an Olympic diploma, one of seven won by Venezuela in the great universal competition that took place from July 26 to August 11.

For Lugo, having the privilege of being awarded a certification for the country represents a reward for the effort made by each of the Creoles in the City of Light.

“I think we all represented the country with a lot of determination and energy. We gave everything we had on the track and (after the competition) we have to keep working,” said Lugo.

Goal of the troop

The men’s epee team, which recorded a 2-1 record in its duels against other groups held at the Grand Palais, will try to extract a “lesson” from the recent contest, in order to try to excel in Los Angeles 2028.

At Paris 2024, Venezuela lost 39-33 to Japan and then stumbled 45-34 against Italy before beating Egypt 41-35 to move into seventh place.

For Francisco Limardo, analysing the causes of the setbacks and strengthening the team for the future will be his top priorities, an opinion that his brother Rubén shares and makes clear.

“We are very unhappy because we wanted to aim for the podium, but we know what sport is like. It’s just like that, very difficult. Some make it, others fall by the wayside. We have to review, correct and move forward, because all of this leaves us with a great learning experience,” added the eldest of the Limardo brothers.

Valencia / Joseph Ñambre