Nelson Pérez
The Canadian delegation was unleashed in athletics. In the first day of competition, they got eight medals in 9 possible events. In total, they won 4 gold medals: in the women’s category of javelin,
10,000 m men’s, 3000 m men’s hurdles and men’s pole vault.
Also, two silver medals, one in shot-put and the other in the 3000m men’s followed by two bronze, obtained in the hammer throw and 100 m hurdles in the women’s category.
In women’s baseball, Puerto Rico defeated Cuba and the Venezuelans fell 9-3 to the local team.
The Latin delegations still got medals. Venezuela, with Rosa Rodríguez, won the gold with hammer lifting, in a phenomenal act of the Acarigua native. The Colombian Caterine Ibarguen, beat her own Pan American record with 15.08 m to win in triple jump, accompanied on the podium by her fellow countrywoman Yosiry Urrutia who got the bronze. The Argentinian Germán Lauro obtained the bronze in shot-put.
In men’s basketball, Venezuela was defeated by the United States in its debut with a score of 85-62. Mexico surprised Argentina, leaving a victory with only a two-point difference 86-84. Canada defeated the Dominican Republic 105-88.
In the beach volleyball final, Argentina took the gold in women’s category, while Mexico got the job done in the men’s category beating Brazil, the defending champions and favorites. Cuba got the silver and bronze in women’s category and men’s category respectively.
In fencing, the Venezuelan Rubén Limardo Gascón won the 5th gold medal for Venezuela making it without a doubt, one of the most anticipated ones. In the sword final, he defeated the Argentinian José Domínguez 15-6. This is his third Pan American medal, second gold for the prodigy of Ciudad Bolívar, who just comes from being a gold medalist in London 2012, achieving the second gold medal for Venezuela in its history.
Now the next step for Limardo is to win in the team’s sword category.
In soccer, Mexico defeated the Trinidadians 4-2 while Uruguay defeated Paraguay 1-0.
In taekwondo, the Cuban Jose Cobas won the gold by winning with the minimum result of 10-9 to Moisés Hernández in 80kg category. Argentina, Cuba and Mexico added medals to the count in the competition as well.
In men’s volleyball, Brazil defeated with ease the Argentinians 3-0. Puerto Rico got the job done against Mexico for 3-0, the Canadians went through an emotional rollercoaster, but were able to come back against the USA and gained the victory for 3-2. Cuba upset Colombia 3-0.