Saturday, November 18th, 2023.- Colombia continues to reap joy at the Parapan American Games, securing the first gold medal in the Para powerlifting female's -61 kg category at Santiago 2023. This was achieved on Saturday through Ana Lucía Pinto, with a result of 109 (105, 109, and no lift).

The silver medal went to Mexican Miriam Aguilar Jiménez, with a score of 9 (85, 87, and 90). The bronze medal, meanwhile, was awarded to Ecuadorian Mishelle Oyague with a score of 88 (no lift, 85, and 88).

It is worth noting that Para powerlifting is open to athletes with one or more of the eight possible impairments: muscle strength deterioration, range of motion impairment, limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, or athetosis.

During competition, athletes lie on their backs on a specially designed bench. After gripping or receiving the bar with extended arms, the lifter awaits the referee's signal with elbows closed and the bar under control before proceeding with the lift.

Earlier on Saturday, Brazilian Lucas Galvao dos Santos excelled in the -49 kg category, with a score of 150 and progressive lifts of 142, 146, and 150. He was followed by Cuban Enmanuel González Rodríguez, with 149 (146, 149, and no lift), the silver medalist, and Colombian Jhonny Morales, with 148 (143, 148, and no lift), the bronze medalist.

Four more categories will be decided later today: Female's -73 kg, -79 kg; Male's -59 kg; Female's -41 kg, and Male's -72 kg.

Written by Marcelo González; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Pablo Bigorra / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport