Sousa rises to victory as Caterpillar crowns Latin American champion in Global Operator Challenge

The overall champion of the Brasil-based competition was Luanderson Sousa with Construtora Moreira & Sousa from Piauí, representing dealer Sotreq.

The Century Trail Challenge featured a course shaped like the number 100 to commemorate Caterpillar’s 100th anniversary. Operators navigated a series of obstacles in a backhoe loader, including jumping a trench, lifting and placing a beam with a multi-purpose bucket, avoiding cones and barrels, climbing a step, and finishing with a basketball shot—using the bucket to toss the ball into a hoop.

The Dozers to Heaven Challenge required operators to complete a series of precision tasks. First, competitors used the blade to push a tire without touching any barrels. While climbing a hill, they pushed four “rabbits”—targets—along steel cables using a bar mounted on the blade. On the descent, operators had to ring a bell with the blade. In the “Daytona” zone, the goal was to knock down yellow blocks with the blade’s articulation while avoiding the black support blocks. The challenge concluded with a parallel parking maneuver and, while reversing, lowering the ripper precisely into the center of a tire.

The Load Rush Challenge used a small wheel loader to test both precision and versatility. First, the operator had to use a material handling arm to lift concrete blocks and place them accurately in a designated spot. Then, they had to switch the attachment to a bucket using the quick coupler system. With the bucket installed, the operator loaded material into a truck, using the payload system to reach a pre-set target weight.

The More Than Digging Challenge focused on advanced technology and precision while operating an excavator. First, the operator had to correctly configure the E-Fence system between two obstacles and demonstrate its effectiveness by avoiding contact with two basketballs. Next, they had to dig a trench with varying depths using the grade control system. The final task involved excavating a specific amount of material, measured with the payload system. If the operator used the Lift Assist feature to complete the task, they earned a bonus.

The regional GOC semifinals are a culmination of months of competitions held worldwide by Cat dealers.

The regional competitions conclude in Asia Pacific this week to determine the final operators who will compete in the global finals.

In addition to the overall winner advancing to the finals, the following participants were recognized by Caterpillar with awards.

• Second place – André Nowak, Nowomak Locações & Servicios, representing Pesa
• Third place – Alex Toillier, SAIKER Escavaciones, representing H. Petersen
• The Century Trail winner – Luanderson Sousa, Construtora Moreira & Sousa, representing Sotreq
• The Dozers to Heaven winner – Luanderson Sousa, Construtora Moreira & Sousa, representing Sotreq
• The Load Rush winner – André Nowak, Nowomak Locações & Servicios, representing Pesa
• The More Than Digging winner - Érick Rodriguez, Ingeniera y Construcciones Gabe S.A. de C.V., representing Madisa

For more information about the Global Operator Challenge visit www.cat.com/operatorchallenge

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