Thursday, November 23rd, 2023.- Similar to her compatriot Rayane Soares among the women, Fabricio Ferreira Barros and Ricardo Gomes won the 100-meter race in the T13 and T37 classes at the Parapan American Games. Colombian Karen Palomeque celebrated in the 200m T37. 

Brazil started strong on Thursday at Santiago 2023, securing the first two gold medals of the day. In the early hours, Rayane Soares won the female's 100 meters in the T13 class (visual impairment). A few minutes later, her compatriot Fabricio Ferreira Barros repeated the success for Brazil in the male's event. 

The athlete from Mato Grosso do Sul had to fight until the last centimeter to secure victory and confirm the expectations generated by his recent silver at the Paris World Championships. 

In an almost photo-finish, he clocked a time of 10.99 seconds to narrowly beat Colombian Jean Carlos Mina (11.09 seconds). Behind them was the American Stirley Jones Jr (11.39 seconds), completing the podium. 

"I feel renewed after changing classes. This gold medal is very important for the people. This was my goal," said Ferreira Barros, who was the best in Lima in the same distance, albeit in the T12 class. 

Next up were the 100 meters in the T37 class (cerebral palsy), where Brazil not only took gold but also silver. 

The winner was Ricardo Gomes, who entered as the favorite after winning this event and the 200 meters at the Paris World Championships (he also won silver in the double hectometer at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics). 

His time was 11.10 seconds, while his teammate Christian Gabriel Luiz, bronze in Paris 2023, clocked 11.49 seconds. The bronze medal went to Colombian Giovanny Malombo (11.57 seconds). 

"It is very important for me to be here because it marks nine years since the accident that left me with a disability, which is also my ninth birthday because I was born again after that accident. It has always been a dream to be a champion," said an emotional Gomes. 

In the final of the female's 200 meters T37, Colombian Karen Palomeque broke Brazil's winning streak at the Mario Recordón Athletic Center of the National Stadium and secured her second gold medal in Santiago 2023, after winning the 400 meters T38 on Tuesday. 

In addition, the Antioquian's time of 26.62 seconds became a new Parapan American record. 

"I feel excited. I think I can give more in my upcoming competitions. There's still a bit more of Karen (in Santiago 2023)," said Palomeque, who is also registered in the 200 meters, long jump, and the 4x100 relay. 

The Colombian was followed by the American Taylor Swanson, who won the silver medal (27.31 seconds), and the Brazilian Marcelly Pedroso, who secured the bronze (29.88 seconds). 

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