Neilys Borregales: An Heir to a Dynasty Who Wants to Surpass Her Parents

At the 2026 Pan American SAMBO Championships, held in Alajuela, Costa Rica, Venezuela's Neilys Alejandra Borregales Bello claimed gold in the women's -50kg Sport SAMBO category. For the 19-year-old athlete, the title was more than just her first major medal – it marked the start of an international career she's building in the footsteps of her parents, both well-known figures in the world of SAMBO.

Daughter of the Champion

SAMBO didn't come into Neilys's life by chance – it's part of the family story. Her father, Lucas Borregales, is one of Venezuela's most decorated sambists: a 15-time Pan American champion and a multiple-time competitor at World SAMBO Championships, who is now building a coaching career in Venezuela.

It was with this family and this legacy behind her that Neilys stepped onto the mat in Costa Rica – and won gold straight away, taking the title in the women's -50kg Sport SAMBO category.

“It Was All Made Possible by My Coach – Who Also Happens to Be My Dad”

Right after her victory, the athlete didn't hide her emotions.

“Honestly, I'm really pleased with the work I put in. First of all, I want to thank God and my coach, who is also my dad – Lucas Borregales. He's the one who made this dream possible, because he puts in an enormous amount of time preparing the training sessions that let us achieve results like this,” said Neilys.

The tournament was especially meaningful for her because it marked her very first international competition.

“This is a new experience for me, my first international competition, and I hope there'll be a lot more from here on – and of course, my level on the mat will keep growing along with that,” the champion shared.

The final proved to be a hard-fought one – her opponent was Costa Rica's Jessica Perez, the reigning Pan American champion in the category at the time, competing on home soil.

“Huge respect to my opponent. She's the reigning champion in this category, she fought a really good match, and so did I. But everyone comes here with the same goal – to win. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win, and this time it was my turn,” the athlete said.

Neilys dedicated her victory to the people closest to her.

“To God and to my family, because they're the ones who made this possible,” said the champion.

Her First Time on the Mat, Age Six

As Neilys admitted, her path in the sport began long before her triumph at the Pan American Championships – practically from early childhood.

“This is something that came to me from my parents. My parents are well-known athletes. Their example, and the fact that they guided me down this path from such a young age, is what brought me to where I am now. I genuinely love doing this, it's something I've truly loved and done since I was little, since childhood. Although there was a period when I stepped away from the sport for certain reasons – about four years – and I came back in 2024,” the athlete said.

She still remembers her very first time on the mat.

“I was about six years old, competing in the youngest kids' category. At my debut competition I took second place – I won my first match and lost the second. It was really nerve-wracking, and I genuinely remember it,” the athlete shared.

Neilys is coached by her father, and, in her words, he strikes a balance between strictness and understanding.

“My coach is my dad. Yes, he's quite demanding, but at the same time flexible. He knows how to find the right approach with his athletes, and he understands and tries to maintain a balance between personal life, school, and training,” she said.

“I Don't Just Want to Match My Parents' Level – I Want to Surpass It”

Her parents' achievements are a source of pride for the athlete – and, as it turns out, also a source of an unexpected realization.

“For me, it's a real source of pride to know they're among the best in my country, and that my dad is one of the best in all of the Americas. I recognize that, and it genuinely surprises me. Coming to this Pan American Championships, I discovered just how highly my parents are regarded at the continental level. It fills me with pride, and I hope to follow in their footsteps,” Neilys admitted.

At the same time, the athlete's ambitions go beyond simply matching her parents' path.

“My goal is to be better. SAMBO is developing fast in Venezuela and across the Americas right now, so it won't be easy. But I know there are a lot more opportunities opening up these days, and SAMBO is becoming more recognized on the continent. So I'm not going to settle for less – I'm going to aim to achieve more than my parents did,” the champion declared.

A First Taste of Combat SAMBO – Almost by Accident

Neilys has already had a taste of Combat SAMBO herself too – although the first time around, it wasn't exactly planned.

“I've already competed twice at the national level in Venezuela in Combat SAMBO. The first time was a complete surprise for me – I'd never worn gloves, shin guards, or a helmet before. But I decided to take the risk because I missed weight: I was 500 grams over for my own category at last year's national championships. So I had to compete in the -54kg Combat SAMBO category instead – it was the only open slot, since no one from my state was entered there. And I won,” the athlete said.

The experience paid off – this year the story repeated itself, only this time it was a deliberate choice.

“This year I competed in Combat SAMBO again, this time in the -50kg category, and I won again,” Neilys shared.

Looking Ahead – and a Junior Season Still to Come

Asked about her immediate goals, the athlete said she'd love to compete at a World Championships.

“If I could compete at the World Championships, I'd be so happy and I'd give absolutely everything I've got. Once I'm back home, I'm planning to keep preparing for new competitions. I really loved this experience, and I want a lot more success to follow it – and for that, I need to work hard. I'm hoping I'll be able to compete at the World Cadet, Youth and Junior Championships this year too, since I've still got a shot at competing as a junior – I'm 19 right now,” Neilys said.

SAMBO as Self-Defence – and as a Source of Meaning

Beyond her sporting ambitions, Neilys also shared a more personal take on what SAMBO means to her – including as a woman.

“Sport, in my view, goes hand in hand with the everyday life of athletes and of people in general, because it supports both psychological and physical development. It helps us handle our day-to-day lives better. And yes, it gives you so much – including the fact that, for women who often find themselves in dangerous situations, it becomes a kind of weapon, a form of self-defence,” the athlete said.

Beyond sport, there's another serious goal in Neilys's life – her studies.

“I'm training to become a nurse, I'm already in my third year, and next year I graduate and get my degree,” she shared, adding with a laugh that she's heard the jokes about her unusual combination of pursuits more than once: “People say it to me a lot – that on the mat I hurt people, and then, at work, I'll be the one healing them.”

Wrapping up the conversation with a philosophical question about what SAMBO means to her, Neilys couldn't sum it up in just one sentence.

“SAMBO is something that gives meaning to my life. Of course, it doesn't define me entirely as a person, but it's something important, something valuable – something through which you go through so many emotions: love, sadness, dedication. It pushes you to become better, you learn so much, you meet people. It's just a lot of everything. A lot,” the Pan American champion admitted.