Wonder Woman Challenge Marks 10 Years of Grit and Competition

The country’s toughest women in uniform wrapped up one of the most grueling competitions in Belize earlier today. It’s the Tenth Annual Wonder Woman Challenge, three days of extreme physical and mental tests designed for the nation’s elite female officers. And this year, after a fierce back‑and‑forth, the Belize Defense Force emerged victorious. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Cheers rang out for three straight days as teams from the Belize Coast Guard, Police Department, and Defense Force pushed their limits in the 2026 Wonder Woman Challenge. The annual event, held at the coast guard headquarters, marked its tenth anniversary, and organizers say this year delivered the fiercest competition yet. Vice Commandant Alma Pinelo says the women continue to raise the bar, and 2026 proved it.

 

Alma Pinelo, Vice Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“I am very excited, very motivated, very amped up. Everybody wants to win. I have been getting a lot of we will obliterate you from our former commandant. So, the energy is really high. We are very excited.”

 

The Wonder Woman Challenge reflects the real-life operational demands faced by women serving in Belize’s law enforcement agencies. Participants tackled the Coast Guard Physical Fitness Test, a one-mile ocean swim and two-mile run combo all on the first day.

 

Ensign Zarina Francisco, Belize Coast Guard

“Right now we are expecting that Coast Guard will take the win, but it is competitive energy right now. Everybody right now wants to know who will be the winner for this overall competition.”

 

Day two features a grueling six‑mile run followed by a Coast Guard Medley combining endurance challenges with tactical obstacle courses.

 

PC Estephanie Cuc, Belize Police Department

“When we started we had a plan, but coming on the way the plan didn’t work. I had to push. I was the pacer. But it didn’t work. I had fall back and pull one of my teammates back because I know we cant fall back. In the end I cried because today makes three months that my mom passed away and I know she is proud of me.”

 

Heavy rain pounded the course during the six‑mile run, but the women powered through. And day three was all about the march and shoot at sunrise, which tested precision and stamina. The Coast Guard Crucible was the final challenge, and it is considered the most punishing challenge of the entire competition.

 

Lance Corporal Suliany Paquiul, Belize Defense Force

“This year like I said, I came to take back the crown. What was meant for BDF is meant for BDF. It was a walk in the park for us. None of us are injured and tired. Yes you get exhausted in between, but after that you still have energy to go and go, so I am very excited.”

 

Going into the final day, the Belize Defense Force held the lead. BDF soldiers, known for their endurance-heavy training, kept their momentum and ultimately secured the 2026 Wonder Woman Championship title.

 

Lance Corporal Suliany Paquiul

“I am always praying for my team as well, not just for me but for my team. I always ask God please look after my females and I want you to cover them with your wings.”

 

Alma Pinelo

“Security is changing and it is such a vast career that being able to prepare yourself, you need to be strong mentally, physically and spiritually health, but there is so much more you can do now as a service woman now.”

 

Ten years strong, the Wonder Woman Challenge is still putting the spotlight on the grit, leadership, and unstoppable spirit of Belize’s women in uniform. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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