Puerto Rico’s weightlifting community is in the spotlight as the 42nd edition of El Criollo begins in Caguas, bringing together approximately 150 weightlifters from Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean.

The traditional tournament runs from October 1 through October 4 at the Raúl “Papo” Papaleo, father, court in Caguas, according to the Puerto Rico Weightlifting Federation. Athletes from Colombia and several Caribbean islands are also participating.

The competition comes about one month before the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships in China. Puerto Rico is preparing to send Issi Agrait and Asia González, both medalists at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. Luis Jaime González, another Santo Domingo medalist, is competing at El Criollo.

The tournament is also providing an international platform for athletes from the Puerto Rican diaspora. Several competitors based in the United States are participating, reflecting the federation’s continuing effort to connect Puerto Rican weightlifters abroad with the national programme.

With a large field and international participation, El Criollo is serving as an important domestic competition ahead of Puerto Rico’s upcoming world championship campaign.