Colombian Champions Shines in Para-Athletics While Brazilians Maintain Pool Dominance

/in , /by

In an absolute triumph, Colombian athletes dominated the para-athletics stage. The formidable duo of Murillo Maria Alejandra and Obando Jhon Sebastian secured two additional gold medals for their nation, elevating Colombia’s medal tally at the Santiago 2023 Parapan Am Games.

(L-R) Vera Leonela, Murillo Maria and Vivenes Diana. Photo Credit: NPC Venezuela, NPC Colombia and NPC Dominican Republic

The T20 Women’s 400m featured fierce competition between Murillo Maria Alejandra, Vera Leonela Coromoto (VEN), Da Silva Antonia Keyla (BRA), and Vivenes Diana Carolina (DOM) for a place on the podium.

Murillo (56.25 sec) claimed the championship title, defeating Vera (57.36 sec) and establishing a new Parapan Am Games Record. Keyla (58.68 sec) narrowly missed bronze, edged out by Vivenes (58.51 sec).

(L-R) Obando Jhon Sebastian, Chala Roberto Carlos and Vucsics Noah Elijah. Photo Credit: NPC Colombia, NPC Ecuador and NPC Canada

The excitement echoed in the men’s long jump, where Vucsics Noah Elijah (CAN) initially seemed poised for gold with a jump of 6.74m. However, Obando Jhon Sebastian (COL), starting on a seemingly weak 6m jump, staged a phenomenal comeback in the second jump, soaring to 7.22m, shattering the Games record and securing a well-deserved gold.

The only other jumper who was able to cross the 7m mark was Ecuadorian Chala Roberto Carlos, recording his best with 7.08m and claiming the silver. Vucsics Noah Elijah (CAN) settled for the bronze with 6.96m.

“I didn’t quite jump to the quality that I wanted to, today. I knew this was going to be a challenging one, given the time of year,” Vucsics told the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

“But I’m really happy. It was a great learning experience for me. Going forward to the Paralympic Games, this is definitely the experience I needed,” he further added.

(L-R) Yepez Frank Peter, Congo Jordi Patricio and Valdes Ronny Rafael. Photo Credit: NPC Ecuador

In Men’s F20 Shot Put, Ecuadorian throwers showcased dominance in Men’s F20 Shot Put, with Congo Jordi Patricio leading from the first throw (14.77m) and clinching gold with a winning throw of 15.52m in the third attempt. He was joined by Yepez Frank Peter (14.20m) and Venezuela’s Valdes Ronny Rafael (13.43m) on the podium for second and third place.

Swimming

 

Ana Soares and Carneiro sisters congratulating each other on their victory. Photo Credit: NPC Brazil

Brazilian women continued their medal sweep in the 200m Individual Medley. Ana Soares, Beatriz and Debora Borges battled each other for the spots and had a neck-to-neck finish where Ana (2:37.35 sec) won the gold. Beatriz tried her best to claim another silver and repeat the podium finish from the first day, but Debora defeated her sister by 0.07sec.

(L-R). Macdonald Tyson, Gabriel Bandeira and Maidana Lautaro. Photo Credit: Santiago 2023

While others are trying to find a spot on the podium, Gabriel Bandeira has a completely different game going on and seems to be chasing the Games record. In S14 Men’s 200m Individual Medley, Bandeira swims out with another Parapan Am record yesterday with 2:10.59 sec, winning his fourth gold from the games.

Macdonald Tyson (CAN) won his first silver from the event while Maidana Lautaro (ARG) settled for the bronze.

“It feels great to get an upgrade from the bronze.. haha…nah, it was a great race. I am pretty sure that this was the second fast I have ever been in my life in that event so I could not be happier with how this event turned out and the entire games,” Tyson told the Canadian Paralympic Committee. 

As the games