Tuesday, November 21st, 2023.- The swimming pool at the Centro Acuático at the Parque Estadio Nacional seems to be filled with gold for Brazil. Talisson Glock and Laila Suzigan confirmed their status as Paralympic medalists (gold for the former and bronze for the latter) to win with a significant lead in the finals of the S6 category 400m freestyle, adding two more golds to the South American nation's record. 

Glock confirmed his favoritism in a solid race where he practically had no rivals, allowing him to demolish the Parapan American record in the distance, held by Cuban Lorenzo Pérez since Toronto 2015. The athlete from Santa Catarina recorded a time of 5:05.67, almost nine seconds below the historic mark. 

Meanwhile, Laila Suzigan won her third Parapan American gold medal with a time of 5:32.10, almost 20 seconds ahead of her main pursuer, her compatriot Mayara do Amaral, and reducing the historical best time by eight seconds, set by Vianney Trejo at Lima 2019. The Mexican athlete finished third in this edition. 

Brazilian dominance also prevailed in the SM11 200m individual medley, with Paralympic medalist Wendell Belarmino securing another Parapan American gold, just like Mexican Matilde Alcázar in the female's competition. 

Finally, in the SB12 100m breaststroke, Colombian Daniel Giraldo retained the Parapan American crown, while the Mexican Diego López defended his Lima 2019 title, winning the S3 50m backstroke. 



Written by María Fernanda Pavez y Nicolás Olea; translated by Pía Barriga Ferry / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport 
Ph: Javier Salvo / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport