The Centro Atlético Mario Recordón stadium came alive as Para athletics events took center stage at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games.

In the F20 Women’s Shot-put, Virtus and Paralympic Champion, Poleth Mandez, threw her way to gold, displaying sheer dominance. Not only did she secure the top spot with throws of 13.81m, 13.84m, and 13.91m, but she also shattered her own Parapan Am record not once, but thrice. A phenomenal feat that left spectators in awe.

Padilla Grecely Eliany (ECU) and Vivenes Diana Carolina (DOM) claimed the silver and bronze. Vivenes won the second medal for Dominic Republic from the games, making her win a historical one.

The T20 Men’s 1500m was no less thrilling, with Guarin Samuel (COL), Michael Patrick Barber (CAN), Carmelo Rivera (PUR), and Luis Arturo Paiva (VEN) battling it out. In a nail-biting finish, Guarin Samuel stormed across the finish line in 4:10.71 sec, securing the gold.

Michael Patrick Barber, who clinched the silver, shared his excitement,

“I really wanted to come out here and improve what happened four years ago, so I can’t complain. This silver is a testament to hard work and determination.”

Barber who finished sixth in Lima 2019, was thrilled to win the silver.

“I was really happy with it, I really wanted to come out here and improve what happened four years ago, so I can’t complain,” Barber told Canadian Paralympic Committee.

Carmelo Rivera made history by winning Puerto Rico’s first medal at the games. Rivera reflected on his journey, saying,

“In the race of life, trust that God is guiding you every step of the way. Challenges are opportunities to demonstrate your strength, knowing that he is on your side.”

More actions are coming up from both para-athletics and para-swimming venues today from Santiago 2023.

Full results can be accessed from Santiago 2023 website.

Brazil’s aquatic dominance continues on the second day of the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games, with Gabriel Bandeira and Ana Soares making waves once again.

In the S14 Men’s 100m Backstroke, Bandeira not only stormed to victory with a time of 58.79 sec but also shattered the Parapan Am Games record, narrowly missing the world record by just 1.91 seconds.

The competition for second and third place was intense, with Garcia Juan (COL), Macdonald Tyson (CAN), and Maiden Lautaro (ARG) putting on a thrilling show. Garcia secured the silver with a time of 1:02.65 sec, followed closely by Tyson (1:03.57 sec) and Mautaro (1:03.69 sec).

“Super happy to win the bronze medal. The second medal for me, I had a great race in being the second fastest this morning. Couldn’t be happier,” Tyson told the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

“I got a lot more events left in my schedule and I am excited for them. I just hope it’s motivating everybody else that’s behind the blocks,” he further added.

https://twitter.com/CDNParalympics/status/1726334705858175269

 

Claiming her second gold at the games, Ana Soares dominated the S14 Women’s 100m Backstroke with a time of 1:09.96 sec. Despite facing stiff competition from Mexico’s Salinas Citli, Ana remained undefeated, leaving the nineteen-year-old Mexican swimmer elated with her first medal.

In the same event, Van Dyk Emma (CAN) clinched the Bronze, expressing her excitement for the achievement and noting the increased fun and camaraderie at this edition of the Parapan Games.

“It definitely feels good to win the bronze. I dropped two seconds so overall it was a great swim.”

Van, who is competing in her second Parapan Games says the current edition ‘is a lot more fun, there are more countries and athletes so more people to talk to’.

As the S14 100m Breaststroke approaches, all eyes are on Brazil to see if they can further augment their gold medal count. Stay tuned for more thrilling action at Santiago 2023.

Full results can be accessed from Santiago 2023 website.

The conclusion of the 2023 Virtus Global Games in Vichy-France marked the culmination of a remarkable gathering, uniting athletes from over 45 countries across all continents. With a participation of more than 900 athletes, the event featured competition and inspiration across thirteen sports, including three Paralympic pathways: swimming, athletics, and table tennis.

Virtus spared no dedication or effort in ensuring the cleanest edition of the Global Games. Working through the Organising Committee, Virtus Anti-Doping actively engaged on multiple fronts, encompassing testing and education. In terms of testing, Virtus conducted over 30 tests, screening athletes from diverse sports disciplines, ensuring fairness and balance for all participants in the event.

All tests adhered to the standards and procedures outlined by WADA and Virtus, prioritizing the quality of work and the safety of athletes. Virtus collaborated with French anti-doping authority Agence Francaise de Lutte contre le Dopage (AFLD) and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), along with the LOC health coordinators in a collective effort to promote clean sport.

Virtus Anti-Doping officer, Juliana Soares, who was leading the Virtus Anti-Doping team said,

“We believe in the potential of our athletes, and our role here is to protect clean and fair athletes. For this, we need to stand together with them, guiding them through ethical values and providing useful and necessary information for a well-rounded career. We were present in Vichy every day, engaging in conversations and imparting knowledge on how to be a clean athlete.

On the education front, this edition marked a significant milestone as the first to implement educational initiatives for all sports at the event. The Virtus Anti-Doping team actively engaged with coaches, providing them with relevant information to help prevent inadvertent doping when there is no intention to do so.

Virtus is unwavering in its commitment to Clean Sport, and initiatives like these form part of an ongoing project to progressively shape the behaviour of athletes, support staff, and the internal technical team, fostering a collective effort for Clean Sport.

The Vice Chair of the Japanese Paralympic Committee, Mr. Masaki Fujiwara, welcomed Virtus Governing Board Members to Japan.

Mr. Fujiwara welcomed everyone acknowledging the Global Games 2019 and Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 in Brisbane, and this year’s Virtus Global Games 2023 in Vichy France, highlighting the opportunities for participation for Japanese athletes.

He went on to mention the success of a recent event in Kagoshima for Japanese athletes with a disability and the Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou. Mr. Fujiwara acknowledged the numbers of athletes with intellectual impairment participating in both events, particular the Kagoshima Games, and the importance of these events for the health and wellbeing of athletes.Mr. Fujiwara said it was an honour to have the Virtus Governing Board in Japan to conduct the General Assembly and hopes the leadership team will have good meetings and an opportunity to appreciate the sights of Japan.

Marc Truffaut, Virtus President thanked the Japan Paralympic Committee, Virtus Board Member in Japan Hiroaki Taniguchi, and Toshi Saito from All Nippon Intellectual Disability Sports Association (ANISA), for the welcome and hospitality. Mr. Truffaut also invited Japan to one day host a Virtus Regional or Global Games.

The Virtus Governing Board members are meeting to discuss strategic priorities for organisation, growing Virtus competitions and the Global Games. There is impetus to discuss pathways development in the decade ahead that aims to see elite athletes with an intellectual impairment have more access and opportunities at international competitions including Paris2024, LA2028 and towards Brisbane 2032.

Further information on the outcomes of the General Assembly will be shared in due course.

On the fourth day of the Asian Para Games, in addition to the remarkable record-breaking performances, athletes also shared the Gold medals and All-Play Record (APR) recognition.

Swimming

The Men’s 100m Butterfly delivered an electrifying showdown as Anku Matsuda (JPN), Lee Inkook (KOR), and Nakajima Keichi (JPN) engaged in an epic battle. Nakajima took an early lead, but Anku and Lee surged ahead shortly after. The two swimmers engaged in a thrilling neck-and-neck duel, racing to the finish line with the exact same time (57.86). Not only did they both earn a shared Gold medal, but they also shattered the APG records.

Matsuda, ecstatic about his unexpected victory in his APG debut, expressed,

“All I did was empty my mind and give everything I had. To be honest, I did not expect this, as it’s not my best event. It feels amazing to achieve such a great result.”

He also described the APG as ‘a festival for para athletes’ and shared his aspirations for the future:

“My future plan is to win another gold medal in the Paris Paralympics, which represents a higher stage and greater challenges. I will be prepared for that.”

In the Women’s 100m Butterfly, Yui Lam Chan added another gold medal to her collection, along with an APG record (1:04.71), outpacing Japan’s Aira Kinoshita (1:06.88) and Inoue Mami (1:09.60).

Athletics

The streak of record-breaking performances extended into Athletics as well. Japanese jumpers made a strong statement right from the first jump, with Kawaguchi Rio leaping 5.06m and Sakai Sonomi covering 5.04m. Both athletes continued to push their limits in an attempt to outdo their teammate. However, it was Sakai who surpassed Kawaguchi with an incredible leap of 5.37m in her fifth attempt, breaking the APG record in the process.

Table Tennis

The Round of 16 matches concluded today in both Women’s and Men’s doubles, paving the way for the top two teams from each group to advance to the semifinals.

In the Men’s Doubles, the first match will see Kim Chang Gi and Kim Gi Tae (KOR) competing against Fan Ka Ho and Wan Wai Lok (HKG) for a spot in the finals. In the second match, Hong Kong’s Leung Chung Yan and Tsoi Ming Fai will face Japan’s Takeshi Takemori and Kato Koya.

For the Women’s Doubles, one table will feature Chinese Taipei taking on Japan, while the other will showcase both teams from Hong Kong vying for a place in the finals.

In the Mixed Doubles category, the quarterfinal matches are set, with TPE vs. HKG, THA vs. JPN, JPN vs. THA, and HKG vs. KOR in the first half of the bracket.

Live results can be accessed from Hangzhou Asian Para Games website.

With only two days remaining until the conclusion of the APG, it promises to be an exciting finale as athletes give their all and test their limits in the remaining events.