SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Mexico was impressive in the Pan American Games artistic swimming on Thursday, while the United States dominated with a total of 200 medals, almost half of them gold.
Nuria Diosdado and Joana Jimenez, who won silver four years ago in Lima, upgraded to gold and secured an Olympic quota spot.
Diosdado and Jimenez excelled in the duet free routine, scoring a winning total of 235.78, defeating the U.S. pair of Ruby Remati and Megumi Field. This achievement marked Mexico’s first gold in the event and earned them a ticket to Paris.
“We are very happy because we made history for Mexico; there had not been a gold medal in the free duet event for Mexico and we are the first to do it,” Diosdado told reporters. “There are many things in which we can make our people proud.”
Canada also had a successful day at the track, with Charles Philibert-Thiboutot winning gold in the 1,500m and Sarah Mitton securing gold in shot put.
Other winners included Erin Marsh from the United States in the heptathlon, Marileidy Paulino from the Dominican Republic in the women’s 200m, and Renan Correa from Brazil in the men’s sprint.
Brazil continued its dominance in the men’s 4x100m relay, winning for the sixth time in seven Games, while Cuba claimed victory in the women’s sprint relay for the first time since 1967.
Cuba also had success in the women’s triple jump, with Leyanis Perez taking gold and Liadagmis Povea earning silver. Joselyn Daniely Brea from Venezuela won the women’s 5,000m.
In the triathlon, Lizeth Rueda Santos from Mexico won the women’s race, and Miguel Lopes Hidalgo from Brazil secured first place in the men’s race.
After the United States dominated freestyle wrestling on Day One, winning all four gold medals, Cuba took charge on the mats on Thursday, claiming three out of five weight classes.
Bowling may not be the most high-profile event, but it gave Panama its first gold medal, with Donald Lee and William Duen winning the men’s doubles.
As we head into the final weekend, the United States remains far ahead at the top of the medal table with 207 medals.
Brazil is in a distant second place with 46 gold medals and 145 total medals, followed by Canada with 37 gold medals and 126 total medals.
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Santiago. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
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