Monday, November 20th, 2023.- Earning a total score of 197 (191, 193, and 197), Brazilian athlete Evanio da Silva emerged as the top performer in the -88-kilogram category at the Parapan American Games in Powerlifting, securing the gold medal. 

Representing Team Brazil, da Silva shone bright and secured the other two spots on the podium for Colombian Huver Mondragón with a score of 196 (186, 192, 196, and null) and Cuban Jesús Drake Vega with 194 (185, 188, and 194). 

Earlier, Brazil claimed gold medals through Tayana Medeiros in the -86kg, +86kg category, and Ailton Bento de Souza in the -80kg category. 

It's worth noting that Para Powerlifting involves athletes who may have one or more of eight possible disabilities: muscle strength impairment, limited range of motion, 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, lifters await the referee's signal with elbows locked and the bar under control before proceeding with the lift. 

This Monday's Para Powerlifting events continue with the medal competitions in the Female -50kg, -55kg, and Male -65kg categories. 

Written by Marcelo González; translated by Vicente Valdivia / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Javier Valdés / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport