(Carlos Ortega/)
Eleven days came to an end in Santiago 2023, the foreseeable U.S. dominance continues to be confirmed after each of them, and the 100-meter level crowned its new Pan-American champions: the Cuban Yunisleidy García staged the coup (11.36) and José Alnardo González (10.30) won the mother race for the first time in the history of the Dominican Republic.
The other three disciplines of athletics that enjoyed definitions were the men’s long jump, dominated by Colombian Arnovis Dalmero (the women’s event had been won by his compatriot Natalia Linares), the men’s decathlon, won by Santiago Ford, a Chilean with Cuban roots, and the men’s 5,000m, a specialty that experienced a disappointment: the Mexican Fernando Martínez came first to the finish line and even celebrated, but was disqualified and Kasey Knevelbaard (USA) ended up rising to first place.
Artistic swimming, which implemented its regulatory modifications, ball, equestrian jump event and squash, recently incorporated into the Olympic program starting in 2028, experienced their first qualifying days, while judo closed its Pan-American participation with a triumph of the mixed team from Cuba over that of Brazil.
Fencing, meanwhile, was a strong demonstration of American supremacy. To the fourth consecutive Pan-American title won on Monday by Lee Kiefer in women’s foil, was joined by the medals of Nick Itnik, executioner in the men’s foil of fellow Olympic medalist Miles Chambley-Watson, and Magda Skarbonkiewicz, only 17 years old, in women’s sabre.
The women’s soccer competition already knows its two finalists: Mexico and Chile beat Argentina and the United States, respectively, and will seek gold next Friday.
