Saturday, November 18th, 2023.- Colombia defeated El Salvador 68-25 in Wheelchair basketball in Group A of the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. The match took place at Polideportivo 1 in the Estadio Nacional.

The South Americans won the first quarter 15-2, secured an 11-8 victory in the second, dominated 28-6 in the third, and won the final quarter 14-9.

The standout player for Colombia was Gladys Gómez, who scored 32 points. “Very happy. It's the second time Colombia has been in a Parapan American Games. It was a very good experience and a great pride. At first, we were a bit lost, but we organized ourselves well and managed to win,” commented the player born in Cali.

“Now we will face Brazil, the best in South America, and it will be a challenge to try to beat them. We have a lot of work ahead to dream of a medal, but we will try,” assured Gómez, who lost her right leg in an accident at a very young age and has been playing wheelchair basketball since she was 20.

Paralympic basketball is played with 12 players per team (five on the court and seven substitutes). It follows FIBA rules, only with modifications due to the use of wheelchairs. The ball, court, and hoop are the same as in Olympic basketball.

Written by Marcelo López and Rodrigo Parragué; translated by Vicente Valdivia / Santiago 2023 Photosport
Photo by Felipe Poga / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport