Men's Softball World Champions named Venezuela’s flag bearers for The World Games 2025
The Venezuelan Men's National Softball Team has been named as flag bearers for The World Games 2025 in Chengdu. The flag presentation ceremony took place in the Simon Bolivar Hall in Caracas and was attended by Delcy Rodríguez, Vice President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; María Soto, President of the Venezuelan Olympic Committee; and Franklin Cardillo, Minister of Popular Power for Sports.
“Sport is, by excellence, an act of honour, and today you carry this flag in your hearts, but also with the strength to compete with great respect for your rivals and with full determination to make Venezuela’s name shine even brighter,” said Vice President Rodríguez.
The male flag bearers are the men's softball world champions, led by team captain Rafael Flores. The female flag bearer is Luisaigna Campos Blanco, 2024 world champion in Combat Sambo in the 54kg category.
“For us, it’s truly special to carry the flag with great pride. This team is coming strong and we’re definitely going for that gold medal,” said Flores.
Venezuela claimed the world title on 13 July, defeating New Zealand 3-0 in the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup 2024/2025 final and earning the country's first-ever softball world championship.
The team will open The World Games in Group A, alongside Argentina, Czechia and Japan. The top two teams in the group will advance to the semifinals, with the gold medal game scheduled for 10 August.