On this occasion, the continent’s young talents showcased their determination, battling not only their rivals but also the severe storm looming since the early hours.
Sport is not just about competition; it also embodies fundamental aspects of personal growth. The spirit of resilience and the ability to overcome adversity were precisely what the athletes displayed this morning, staying focused under a darkened sky that hid the sun and warned of a heavy thunderstorm.
In that setting, the men’s 20,000m race walk took place. The gold medal went to Colombia’s Miguel Peña, who crossed the finish line with a time of 1:23:06. He was followed by Saúl Wamputsrik of Ecuador, who claimed silver, and Brandon Pérez of Mexico, who earned bronze.
At the same time, before the storm hit Paraguay’s capital, the men’s decathlon and women’s heptathlon events also continued. Male athletes competed in the 110m hurdles and discus throw, while the women contested the 100m hurdles.
The morning session also brought another junior Pan American record in the women’s 100m hurdles. In the second semifinal heat, Cuba’s Jocelyn Echazabal set the pace, stopping the clock at 12.95 seconds and surpassing the previous record held by one of her compatriots.
