Tuesday, October 31th, 2023.- Andrea Carolina Vargas had no problems showing on the track at Estadio Nacional that she arrived to Santiago 2023 with the goal of defending the gold medal she won at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

The Costa Rican was the fastest in the two semi-final sessions of the 100-meter hurdles, thanks to her time of 12.78, which allowed her to qualify for the final on Wednesday.

The Central American athlete dominated the second heat of the afternoon, ahead of Puerto Rican Paola Vásquez (13.27), Brazilian Ketiley Batista (13.31), and Venezuelan Yoveinny Mota (13.39), the other athletes who qualified for the final in that heat.

"There are some things that need to be corrected, but I am very happy. The final is still ahead, and the competition is very strong. We need to stay calm, focused, and hope for the best tomorrow (Wednesday)," Vargas said.

The other sprinter who ran under 13 seconds was the American Alaysha Johnson, who clocked 12.99 in the first heat, from which the Cubans Greisys Roble (13.16) and Jocelyn Echazabal (13.51), as well as the Canadian Keira Christie-Galloway (13.36), also advanced to the decisive race.

Vargas and Johnson appear to be the top favorites for the final, as they came with two of the three best marks of the season. Mota and Robles, the other two athletes who have run under 13 seconds in 2023, could also join them.

Chilean María Ignacia Eguiguren finished tenth with a time of 14.07 seconds.

Written by Macarena Navias; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport
Photo by Alejandro Pagni /Santiago 2023 / Photosport