Santiago. After winning five gold medals in the first competition on Saturday, Mexico reached a total of 47 at the 2023 Pan American Games Santiago to set a historic record in the continental competitions.
A day earlier, the Mexicans equaled the 42 they achieved in Guadalajara 2011. The number was lowered on Saturday morning, when Beatriz Briones and Carina Alanis won the K2 500m rowing race.
Shortly after, Basque Pilota contributed two goals to reach 45. Mariver Noriega beat Argentine Sabrina Andrade 2-0 to win the gold medal in the women’s rubber paddle final, then Itzel Reyes beat Uruguay’s Leonela Acosta 2-0 in the women’s event. Fronton to reach 45.
Later, in the same sport, Isaac Pérez defeated Argentine Federico Fernandez 2-0, and David Alvarez did the same to Cuban Cristian Abreu to leave the stake just three away from fifty golds.
“All the added minerals are important. Mexico’s participation has been groundbreaking so far in the Pan American Games,” said Ana Guevara, director of the State National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports. “It gives me great pleasure to participate in this celebration of American sports.”
Guevara was present at the shooting event as Mexico planned to win more gold medals, but the men’s and women’s teams lost to the United States in the finals and settled for silver medals.
“We wanted the gold, of course, but our silver increases the score, and it is very nice to be part of this historic performance,” said Alejandra Valencia, who on Sunday will seek the gold medal in the individual shooting competition.
Before Santiago, Mexican leaders had conservatively estimated 33 gold medals, although they wanted to reach the 37 they achieved in Lima 2011, their best performance at an away Pan American Games.
Mexico arrived in Chile with many athletes for its first continental matches and there were some doubts about its true scope. Many of them exceeded expectations.
“It is a young delegation; Guevara added: “There are sports that require this maturity, but there are other sports that have brought out social class and are far from expectations that have made their work and presence important.”
In addition to the gold tally, Mexico was hoping to finish third in the overall medal table at the Pan American Games in Santiago, repeating what it did four years ago in Lima. Even now, it is still in close conflict with Canada for this place. The United States and Brazil split from each other and will finish tied 1-2 in the medal table.
