Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023.- The second day of Para Athletics at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games concluded with a series of finals in the 200 meters across different classes.

In the male's T64 200 meters (lower limb physical disability competing with prosthetics), Costa Rican Sherman Isidro Guitty won by a margin of more than two seconds over his closest pursuers, Peruvian Jesús Castillo and Colombian Andrés Patiño.

The winner clocked 21.59 seconds, a new Parapan American record (pending confirmation), coming close to Richard Browne's world record of 21.27 seconds. His followers finished the double hectometer in 24.09 and 24.17 seconds, respectively.

In the female's T47 200 meters (upper limb physical disability), the Pan American champion is Venezuelan Lisbeli Marina Vera, who won the race with a time of 24.88 seconds. The silver went to Brazilian Fernanda Yara (25.48), and Canadian Sheriauna Elaine Haase took the bronze (25.65).

"This medal is dedicated to my daughter, who is in Venezuela; I miss her a lot. I am happy with this achievement because I came from a year without sports activity," said the winner.

Meanwhile, in the same distance, T36 class (cerebral palsy), Argentine Araceli Rotela celebrated the gold (30.28 seconds), followed by Brazilian Samira da Silva (30.84) and another Argentine, Yanina Martínez (31.94).

In the 800 meters T53-54 (wheelchair racers), in a very close race, the gold went to Mexican Fernando Sánchez, who achieved a time of 1:36.29, just two-tenths better than American Miguel Ángel Vergara (1:36.53) and Brazilian Cristian Westemaier (1:36.61).

The winner expressed great joy at winning the gold medal. "After being inactive for three and a half years due to the pandemic, it feels like I'm making my debut. I am very happy," he emphasized.

Written by Macarena Navias; translated by Paulette Bertín / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Marcelo Hernández / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport