GOLD MEDAL WON TO THE BEAT OF RANCHERAS

Hundredths of a second separated the Mexican athlete, Fernando Martínez, from his opponents in the heart-stopping final for the 5000 meters, on the third day of the emblematic sport: athletics.

At the beginning, Martínez was behind the representatives of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, who were leading the competition during the first four laps of this exhausting race. However, the cheers of the Mexican public gave him strength and allowed him to take the lead and surpass his rivals, in the last stretch, only for a few seconds.

After winning the gold medal, with a time of 13 minutes, 53 seconds and 87 hundredths, the long-distance runner approached the grandstands, where he was praised by the fans.

Ecstatic by this remarkable triumph, he celebrated to the rhythm of the traditional rancheras, putting on the hat of the Mexican mariachis.

Imitating the characteristic movements of this recognized manifestation of Aztec folklore, he said goodbye to the public gathered at the Athletics Stadium in the National Sports Village.

The Mexican athlete shared the podium with Brazilian Altobeli Santos Da Silva, who made a total time of 13 minutes, 54 seconds and 42 hundredths; and with Chilean Carlos Díaz del Río, who finished at 13 minutes, 54 seconds and 43 hundredths.

It is worth mentioning that this is the 22nd gold medal for Mexico at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. In addition, this is the second medal in athletics for Mexico, after Risper Biyaki, who won the silver medal in the women’s 10,000 meters event.