Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023.- By far, the best sport for the Brazilian delegation at the 2023 Santiago Parapan American Games is Para swimming, where the Brazilians reached an incredible number of 50 gold medals. Additionally, they have 22 silver and 20 bronze medals. 

Wednesday brought more records for the South American country in the pool at the Estadio Nacional, as Gabriel Bandeira updated the Pan American record in the 200 meters individual medley SM14 (intellectual disability) with a time of 2:10.59. The Canadian Tyson MacDonald finished second (2:16.36), and the Argentinian Lautaro Maidana took third place. 

Afterward, the Argentinian Analuz Pellitero momentarily halted Brazil's dominance in the 100 meters freestyle S11 (visual impairment) with a time of 1:11.14, which set a Pan American record. The silver went to the Colombian Sharit Yunque (1:14.86), and the bronze was claimed by the Mexican Matilde Alcazar (1:15.25). 

Later on, the Brazilian Douglas Rocha celebrated in the 50 meters freestyle S13 (visual impairment) with a new Pan American record, clocking in at 25.56 seconds. His compatriot Thomaz Rocha followed (26.06), and third place went to the Mexican Fernando Martínez (26.65). 

To conclude the day at the Centro de Deportes Acuáticos, the Brazilian team in the 4x100 meters mixed 34 points relay secured victory with a time of 4:38.29. The silver medal was won by the United States (4:50.07), and the bronze went to Colombia (4:50.71). 

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