The most transcendental Para event of the continent closed one of its most emblematic competitions: Para swimming. A set of intense finals were contested in this event, which amazed the public with the swimming skills of the best Para swimmers in the Americas.

The finals of this event had the participation of the delegations from Brazil and Colombia. The Brazilian players snatched eight gold medals. The performance of Gabriel dos Santos was outstanding. He claimed the gold in men’s 100 m freestyle S2 with a record of 2:04.60, surpassing the Chilean Alberto Abarza by four seconds.

His compatriot, Edenia Nogueira, set a Parapan American record of 57:02, winning the gold medal in women’s 50 m backstroke in the S3 category. Likewise, Esthefany de Oliveira set another record of 3:54.66, taking home the gold in 200 m individual medley in the S5 category.

Meanwhile, the Colombians picked up seven gold medals. The participation of Sara Vargas also stood out as she set a Parapan American record of 1:17.00, crowning herself the winner of the women’s 100 m freestyle in the S6 category.

Another exceptional performance was that of Nelson Crispin, who gave his country the gold medal in 100 m freestyle, 200 m individual medley in the SM6 category, 50 m freestyle in the S6 category, 100 m breaststroke in the SB6 category, and 50 m butterfly in the S6 category.

Moreover, the Mexican delegation collected four gold medals. One of the representatives who left his mark in the water was Diego López, who set the record of 45.06 in the 50 m backstroke final in the S3 category.

This way, one of the Paralympic sports that garnered the greatest expectation of the Peruvians at the National Sports Village ended on a high note, demonstrating that there is no impairment that between you and your goals because everything is possible with courage and determination.

Motivated by the support of Peruvian fans, the young national promise of Para sports, Rodrigo Santillán, took the sixth place in the hard-fought men’s 50m freestyle Para swimming final.  

The 14-year-old Para athlete clocked 1:15.61. Brazil won the gold medal with Gabriel Dos Santos, who clocked 57:88. Chilean Alberto Abarza and Brazilian Bruno Becker took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.  

However, Santillán seeks to prove himself tomorrow in the 100m freestyle final. He wants to seal his participation in the Parapan American Games with a medal, as well as beat his personal best of 1:13. 

On the other hand, although he has not obtained a place on the podium, the young Para athlete feels excited as the times he has clocked so far have ensured his participation in two important international competitions. Rodrigo Santillán delivers a great performance in Para swimming.  

“I didn’t think I'd make it to finals with the best of the Americas. Now my plans are for London 2019 World Para Swimming Championships, which will take place in a few weeks, and Tokyo 2020,” he said enthusiastically.  

On the other hand, his coach Fernando Cuadros says that the young Para swimmer has a promising future ahead. “Lima 2019 is a great experience for him and will significantly contribute to his performance in future world championships,” he stressed.    

This way, the young Peruvian representative will seek to close his participation in the most important sporting event of the Americas with his best performance and lay the foundations to participate in two major international events, looking to immortalize his name and bring glory to his country.

Today’s session was historic for American Para powerlifting. From the stands of Sport Center 2 at VIDENA, an amazed crowd could see how the Chilean Juan Carlos Garrido, number one in the ranking, broke his own record and as well the Parapan American record, the same one that he set in Toronto 2015, with 175kg.

This time, the athlete from Antofagasta, who recently won bronze in the World Championship of Para powerlifting in at Kazajistan, lifted 185 kg and picked up the gold medal in Para powerlifting, under-the 59kg category.

With three first successful lifts, Garrido tried to improve his mark by lifting 187 kg, he did not make it though. Brazilian Junior de Franca claimed his first medal in Para powerlifting. 

There’s a considerable difference from his opponents in the medal table, the Brazilian Luciano Bezerra (silver) and the Venezuelan Carlos Betancourt (bronze); whose marks were 151 kg and 150 kg respectively.