Argentina vibrated on the penultimate day of the Pan American Games with a long-distance runner who just gave birth five months ago and with achievements in four team sports, including the Indomitable Lionesses of hockey.
Mexico exceeded its most optimistic expectations – a record 48 gold medals – and will fight to the end to take third place in the overall medal standings.
And on a Saturday with 71 arrivals, breakdancers with the nicknames “Sunny” and “B-Boy Phil Wizard” made history in a sport that made its debut on the Games program with the aim of captivate a younger audience.
The Pan American Games in Santiago are about to end, with another great display from the United States, the superpower of continental sport, followed by Brazil.
But Mexico’s performance was remarkable. With a delegation of 640 athletes, its leaders aimed to complete a harvest of 33 gold medals. They were not expected to break the historic record of 42 gold medals won as hosts of Guadalajara 2011. With a string of victories in canoeing, Basque pelota and archery, the Mexicans reached 48.
“I’m delighted because everything ended well,” said Marifer Noriega, whose consecration of a rubber paddle was one of six in Mexico City on Saturday. “We achieved what we came for.”
Everything was decided at the top of the Santiago 2023 medal table with 24 finals still to go.
For the 17th time in 19 editions and despite the presence of a discreet delegation, the United States will reign at the Pan American Games. He accumulated 116 gold medals and a total of 272 medals. He gained a 52 gold difference over Brazil, which will leave the capital of Chile smiling for a historic second place.
Among Saturday’s winners was Grace Choi or “Sunny,” who had the honor of winning the first gold medal in break, the urban dance competition.
“It’s part of the culture,” said Choi, 34, of Cookeville, Tennessee, explaining the importance of having a good nickname, which means “sunny.” “It has to do with my personality, people tell me I’m funny.”
Mexico and Canada will decide this Sunday who will take third place. The Mexicans will have to maintain the slim distance of two gold medals over the Canadians at all costs, since the latter record more silver (52-33) and bronze (62-50).
Further down, Cuba’s good performances in athletics and wrestling allowed the island to move away from Colombia in fifth place. The Caribbean has 30 goldfish and the Colombians have 24.
Colombia hopes to approach Sunday with its speed skaters. A sporting power, the Colombians had three champions on the first day of the program: Geiny Pájaro, Gabriela Rueda and Juan Jacobo Mantilla.
“I have to thank all the family who helped me with her (daughter), I couldn’t have done it alone,” Casetta said after winning with a Pan American record. “Family is a pillar, so this medal is not only mine, but also belongs to all the people behind me.”
Argentina also celebrated gold medals in four team disciplines to move up to seventh overall with a total of 14 gold medals, two more than hosts Chile.
The Lionesses won 2-1 in a close final to claim their eighth Pan American gold medal. The other titles fell to the men in basketball (they beat Venezuela 79-65), handball (they beat Brazil 32-25 for the title) and rugby sevens (they beat Chile 24 -5). Of course, the men’s volleyball team was swept in three sets by Brazil.
But the hosts could not get the title they most desired when they succumbed to penalties (4-2) against Brazil in the football final held in Viña del Mar, after a draw (1-1) in regulation time and overtime.
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