Athletes from all over the continent competed at the Olympic Park Athletics Stadium in track and field events, including sprints, hurdles, distance, jumps, throws, decathlon, and relays.
MEN’S 100M – SEMIFINALS
The day kicked off with pure speed. In series 1, Colombia’s Ronal Longa flew down the track with a time of 10.13, setting a new Games record. He was followed by Jhelani Gordon (Jamaica) and Ajani Daley (Antigua and Barbuda), who qualified by time.
In series 2, the star was Davonte Howell (Cayman Islands), who shone with a 10.10, surpassing Longa’s record and also setting a new one. Reynaldo Espinosa (Cuba) and others who qualified by time joined him.
Series 3 was won by Eloy Benítez (Puerto Rico), followed by Carlos Flórez (Colombia) and Jaleel Croal (British Virgin Islands).
The eight finalists were thus defined.
WOMEN’S 100M – SEMIFINALS
The women’s event was just as exciting. In series 1, Puerto Rico’s Frances Colón asserted her authority with an 11.32, a new record, followed by Laura Martínez (Colombia) and Serena Cole (Jamaica).
In series 2, the Dominican Liranyi Alonso wowed the crowd with an 11.08, lowering Colón’s recent mark. Second place went to Shaniqua Bascombe (Trinidad and Tobago) and third to Gladymar Torres (Puerto Rico).
The six finalists were thus defined.
JAVELIN THROW – FINAL
Women’s: Colombia’s Valentina Barrios was unstoppable and, with 60.16m, took the gold and a new Games record. Manuela Rotundo (Uruguay) won the silver, and Claudia Guerrero (Cuba) took the bronze.
Men’s: A celebration for Paraguay. Lars Flaming shone at home, reaching 81.56m to win gold, a personal best, and a new championship record. Silver went to Leikel Cabrera (Cuba) and bronze to Thiago Lacerda (Brazil).
400M HURDLES – MEN, SEMIFINALS
In series 1, Brazil’s Matheus Da Silva flew over the hurdles, stopping the clock at 48.23, a new Games record. He was joined in the final by Tyreece Hyman (Jamaica) and Yerald Núñez (Dominican Republic). Bruno de Genaro (Argentina) and Michael Olasio (Puerto Rico) qualified by time.
In series 2, Yan Vázquez (Puerto Rico) finished first, followed by Ramón Fuenzalida (Chile) and Romario Stewart (Jamaica).
DECATHLON – INITIAL EVENTS
Shot Put: The most notable athletes were from Mexico, Venezuela, and Cuba.
High Jump: Josmi Sánchez (Cuba) and Luiz Santos (Brazil) shared the lead with 2.03m. Dario Rodríguez (Mexico) and Carlos Córdoba (Venezuela) were further back with 1.91m, and Max Moraga (Chile) with 1.81m.
400m: In an intense final, Chile’s Max Moraga took the gold. Paraguay’s Romeo Mannel earned a valuable silver at home, while the bronze went to Abimelec Zamorano (Mexico).
LONG JUMP – WOMEN, FINAL
Colombia’s Natalia Linares confirmed her favorite status with a jump of 6.92m, a new record. Rosmaiby Quesada (Cuba) won silver, and Janae De Gannes (Trinidad and Tobago) took bronze.
10,000M – WOMEN, FINAL
Canada’s Jadyn Keeler set a brutal pace, winning with 34:16 and setting a new record. Silver and bronze went to Mexico with Mariel Salazar and Luz Rocha.
5,000M – MEN, FINAL
Colombia’s Pedro Marín won the gold with 14:11.50 after a very demanding race. Mexico completed the podium with Iker and Ian Sánchez.
DISCUS THROW – WOMEN, FINAL
Cuba’s Alejandra Mesa took the gold, Ottaynis Febres (Venezuela) won the silver, and Maria de Matos (Brazil) took the bronze.
4 X 400M MIXED RELAY – FINAL
The day ended spectacularly. Brazil took the gold with a time of 3:19.98, followed by Cuba (silver) and Guyana (bronze).
