Wednesday, November 1st.- Costa Rica celebrated its first gold medal on the thirteenth day of official competitions at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago.

This achievement was thanks to Andrea Carolina Vargas, who stood atop the podium after winning the gold in the 100-meter hurdles at the National Stadium track, defending the Pan American championship she had won in Lima in 2019.

Chile also had reason to celebrate in athletics. Martina Weil's gold medal in the 400 meters added their third gold in athletics, something that hadn't happened since the inaugural Pan American Games in 1951 in Buenos Aires.

In football, Team Chile made history as well, with their victory over the United States (1-0) in the male's category, ensuring that both their male and female teams would compete in the Pan American final, a first-time achievement.

The United States didn't let their soccer loss spoil their spirits; they earned new gold medals, including four in wrestling (57, 74, 97, and 125 kilograms). They also celebrated victories in athletics (female's hammer throw), equestrian (team event), fencing (male's individual saber), and squash (female's individual).

At the end of the day, the United States leads the medal standings with 191 medals: 84 gold, 49 silver, and 58 bronze. Brazil is in second place with 136 medals (40 gold, 53 silver, and 43 bronze), followed by Canada in third place with 116 medals (35 gold, 34 silver, and 47 bronze). Mexico is in fourth place with 94 medals (35 gold, 23 silver, and 36 bronze), and Colombia is in fifth place with 53 medals (15 gold, 22 silver, and 16 bronze). Chile remains in seventh place with 44 medals: eight gold, 19 silver, and 17 bronze.

Written by Marcelo López; translated by Paulette Bertín/Photosport

Photo by Raúl Bravo/Santiago 2023 / Photosport