Tuesday, November 21st, 2023.- Yeltsin Francisco Ortega from Brazil claimed the first gold medal at the start of Para Athletics at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. 

Competing in the T11 category (almost total visual impairment), the Brazilian, accompanied by his assistant Edelson De Avila, clocked 15:13.10 and set a new Pan American record, surpassing the mark set by Canadian athlete Jason Dunkerle (15:39.54) in Toronto 2015. 

"Thanks to God for being able to win this race in Chile. I appreciate my family, my coaches. I did good work, and I'm very happy with the result," commented Ortega. 

In his career achievements, the winner holds gold in the 5,000 and 1,500 meters at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020; gold in the 1,500 meters at Lima 2019; gold in the 1,500 meters and bronze in the 5,000 at Toronto 2015; gold in the 1,500 meters and bronze in the 5,000 at the París 2023 Athletics World Championship, as well as silver in the 1,500 meters and bronze in the 800 at the 2013 World Championship in France. 

The silver medal went to Peruvian athlete Yohon Guillen (15:28.52), and the bronze was secured by Brazilian Julio César Agripino (15:36.71). 

Cristián Valenzuela, the only Chilean in the competition, couldn't finish the race due to physical issues. 



Written by Marcelo López-Anaís Farías; translated by Vicente Valdivia / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Marcelo Hernández / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport