Saturday, Oct 21st.- An intense day unfolded at the Centro de Deportes de Contacto of Estadio Nacional where the first medals of the discipline were contested. Mexico was the big winner, securing three out of the five available gold medals.

The first gold medal for the Mexican team was won by William de Jesús Arroyo Reyes, who defeated Nicaraguan Elian Ortega with a score of 7,990 to 7,880.

In the -49kg female's category, Daniela Souza defeated Colombian Andrea Ramírez with a score of 2-1, while in the -80kg category, Brandon Plaza outscored Argentinian Lautaro Guzmán, also with a score of 2-1.

On Saturday, American Kaitlyn Marie Reclusado also won a medal by defeating the representative of the Team of Independent Athletes, Guatemalan Maria Higueros, with a score of 7,830 to 7,350 in the poomsae category.

Finally, in the -68kg male's category, Inkhaton Harris from the United States won with a score of 2-0 against Dominican Bernardo Pie.

Chile had a chance to win two medals in this event, but Ignacio Morales was eliminated in the quarter-finals, while Deisy Guelet lost the bronze medal match against Argentina's Giulia Sendra with a score of 2-0 in the -49kg category.

The taekwondo competition will continue with medal events on Sunday in four categories.

Written by Pedro Marín; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport
Photo: Karin Pozo / Santiago 2023 villa Photosport