Tuesday, october 24nd, 2023.- Colombian Ingrit Valencia, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics and gold medalist at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, kicked off the day by defeating the Argentine Florencia López by unanimous decision in the 50-kilogram category.

"I'm going for the Pan American gold, which I hope stays in Colombia, and also for tickets to Paris 2024," said the fighter from Cauca.

In the same weight category, Brazil's Caroline Barbosa, after defeating Panama's Yulliet Hinestroza; Canada's Mckenzie Wright, who won against Valeria Cárdenas of Costa Rica; and Jennifer Lozano, the continental champion from the United States, won against Venezuela's Tayonis Cedeño, all secured a spot in the semifinals.

In the 54-kilogram category, Tatiana de Jesús from Brazil and Chile's Denisse Bravo both secured bronze by winning their respective matches, with De Jesús defeating Ecuador's Helen Sánchez.

In the 66-kilogram category, Colombian Camila Bravo defeated Stephanie Aquino of Puerto Rico, while Brazil's Bárbara Dos Santos won against the Dominican Republic's María Moronta.

In the quarterfinals for the 75-kilogram category, Panama's Atheyna Bylon secured a win against Ecuador's Ingrith Maldonado, and Brazil's Viviane Dos Santos eliminated Kimberly Gittens of Barbados.

The biggest surprise of the day in this category was the victory of Mexico's Citlalli Vanessa Ortiz, who won by unanimous decision against the United States' Naomi Graham, the favorite for the gold medal, a champion in Lima 2019, and fifth in the 75-kilogram weight category rankings.

The day's competition concluded with two men's matches in the quarterfinals of the 51-kilogram category, with Brazil's Michael Da Silva defeating Venezuela's Keymberth González in a closely contested match. The Argentine Nicanor Quiroga won against Ecuador's Luis Delgado.

Written by Esteban Gómez - Marcelo López; translated by Andrés Castro / Photosport
Photo by Christian Zapata/Santiago 2023 / Photosport