Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023.- The country that has dominated the swimming pool at the Estadio Nacional’s Centro de Deportes Acuáticos is Brazil, a representation that continues to win medals and set records at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. 

The first final of the Wednesday afternoon was the female's S9 400m freestyle (swimmers with slightly limited coordination of arms and legs; or a considerable limitation in one leg; or the absence of limbs), where the champion was the representative of the United States, Keegan Knott, with a time of 4:59.70. The silver went to Cali Prochaska (5:08.16), while the bronze was conquered by Madelyn White (5:17.34), both also from the United States. 

Next was the same event in the male’s category. There Brazil dominated as Andrey Ribeiro set a Pan American record, stopping the clock at 4:25.08. The silver went to Colombian Erick Tandazo (4:35.08), and the bronze to Brazilian Víctor dos Santos (4:37.74). 

Then came the excitement of the male's S10 100m butterfly (swimmers with slightly limited leg movement; moderately limited movement of the hip joint or feet, and a high degree of one foot; or the absence of a part of the limb), with the brilliant performance of Brazil's Phelipe Melo, who clinched the gold medal with a time of 1:00.47 minutes. Following him and consequently winning the silver medal was Argentina's Nicolás Nieto (1:01.16), while the bronze went to Canada's Fernando Lu (1:01.31). 

Finally, Lidia Viera, also from Brazil, shattered the Pan American record in the female's S4 50m freestyle (swimmers with very limited movement of the torso and legs; or have a limitation in the hands; or the absence of limbs), thanks to her 39.72 seconds. The silver also went to the South American giant with Patricia Pereira (40.91), and the bronze to Mexico's Nely Miranda (41.37). 

Written by Carlos Silva - Fernanda Pavez; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport 
Ph: Javier Valdés / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport