Wednesday, November 1st.- This Wednesday the female 200-meters determined its finalists. As expected due to her title in the 400 meters at the 2023 Budapest World Championships held last August, the favorite was Marileidy Paulino, who secured the best qualifying time in both heats, with 23.04 seconds.

The Dominican athlete has a unique life story. She was born in a humble community in Nizao, Peravia province, where she began playing volleyball and later handball during her teenage years. It wasn't until she was 19 that she found her true sporting passion in athletics.

She grew up in a religious but economically limited family, to the extent that they couldn't afford the necessary footwear for her training. She mentions that while competing, she always offers a prayer to God to help her reach the finish line safely and without any injuries, regardless of her final placement.

On this rainy day at Santiago 2023, she claimed the top position and is the strong favorite to win the Pan American gold, with the final scheduled for Thursday at 20:02.

Also advancing to the grand final were Ana Carolina de Jesus of Brazil (23.61), Reyere Thomas of Trinidad and Tobago (23.76), Cecilia Tamayo of Mexico (23.79), Aimara Nazareno of Ecuador (23.90), and N'jeari Ariel Locker of Antigua and Barbuda (23.94), all participants from the first heat. In the second heat, alongside Paulino, Gabriela Suárez of Ecuador (23.63) and Yunisleydi García of Cuba (23.96) secured their places in the ultimate round.

Chilean athlete Isidora Jiménez finished fourth in her heat but did not make it to the final since she had the ninth-best time, with 24 seconds.

Written by Ernesto Bustos B. – Herman Chanampa; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport
Photo by Alejandro Pagni/Santiago 2023 / Photosport