BRAZIL AND CANADA HAVE WON THE LAST TWO GOLD IN FENCING

At the end of the discipline, a tribute was paid to the multiple Venezuelan champion Rubén Limardo, for whom this was his last Pan American Games.

The Brazilian women’s epee team and the Canadian men’s saber team won the final two fencing gold medals at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. This capped an exciting competition that lasted six days.

The first final to be contested was the women’s team epee final, which pitted Brazil and Canada against each other and ended with a 45-40 South American victory. The gold medal trio was composed of Amanda Netto, Nathalie Moellhausen and Victoria Mayor.

“This is Brazil Women’s first medal at the Pan American Fencing Games, so it’s a very important achievement for us. “We are very happy,” said the young mayor of Victoria.

Silver went to the Canadian team made up of Alexanne Verret, Ruien Xiao and Leonora Mackinnon, while bronze went to Venezuela, with Eliana Lugo, Lizze Asís and María Gabriela Martínez.

Colombia is in fourth place, Argentina in fifth, Mexico in sixth, Brazil in seventh and Chile in eighth.

Later, the men’s saber final was decided with a victory for Canada over the United States by 45-40. The Canadian cast consisted of François Cauchon, Shaul Gordon and Fares Arfa, while the American cast consisted of Josef Cophen, Andrew Doddo and Flip Dolegiewicz.

“Was difficult. Every start of the match was very difficult and we put a lot of pressure on to reach the final. The pressure came off and we were a better version of ourselves. “We are fascinated to win and that makes good,” commented Fares Arfa.

Mexico’s men’s saber team came in fourth place, Argentina in fifth, Colombia in sixth, Chile in seventh and Costa Rica in eighth.

GOODBYE FROM LIMARDO

Before the final, four fencers were recognized and announced that this would be their last Pan American Games. Among them, the Venezuelan Rubén Limardo (38 years old), epee champion in Rio 2007, double individual and team epee champion in Toronto 2015 and Lima 2019, as well as Olympic epee champion in London 2012.

“It’s a bit painful, these are things you wouldn’t want in life but nothing lasts forever and my heart tells me it’s time to let go. I dream of being a manager, of working as a sports leader and I feel very proud of everything I have accomplished”, calmly expressed the multi-Caribbean champion, who in any case is already on the verge of being classified to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Games.

Nataly Michel (33) from Mexico, Amanda Netto (29) from Brazil and María Gabriela Martínez (40) from Venezuela were also awarded.

“I want to close a stage of my sporting career because it’s been more than 20 years, so I think it’s been a long time. And like everything in life, there is a beginning and a time to end. But hey, I enjoyed everything,” Martínez said.

“I want to devote myself to my family and my work. My whole body hurts too and I know that as in Brazil I have already won almost everything and that for an international goal I have to leave my country to train, I don’t want that. So I prefer to have other dreams,” admitted Netto.

Written by Valentina López