Thursday, November 23rd, 2023.- The third day of Para athletics at Santiago 2023 concluded with a unique ending at the Mario Recordón Athletics Center. All the champions from four years ago managed to retain their titles, with three of them setting new Parapan American records. 

In the female's 100 meters T11 (visual impairment), Brazilian Jerusa Geber clocked 12.06 seconds, beating Colombian Angie Pabón (12.40) and Venezuelan Linda Pérez (12.44), who finished fourth in Lima. 

Geber, from Río Branco, set a new continental record (11.84 seconds) in the semifinals, adding to her victory in the 200 meters on Tuesday. She expressed her satisfaction, stating, "This is my eighth medal at the Parapan American Games. I feel very good because I have no muscle discomfort or injuries, and I am having a good performance at the Games." 

In the female's 100 meters T12 (visual impairment), Cuban athlete Omara Durand secured the gold and broke the Parapan American record, setting it at 11.65 seconds. She was followed by Venezuelan Alejandra Pérez (12.58) and Brazilian Lorraine Gomes (12.80). 

Durand, a multi-medalist, achieved a double win in the sprint events, having already won the 200 meters on Tuesday. She shared her satisfaction, saying, "I leave with a feeling of satisfaction, joy, and happiness, for achieving another gold medal. My goal is to maintain the status: to be the Parapan American champion in all three competitions. And that is being achieved. I still have one more to go." 

In the male's 400 meters T54 (wheelchair), Mexican Juan Pablo Cervantes, bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, won with a time of 47.74 seconds, setting a new Parapan American record. Behind him were Brazilian Cristian Westermaier (47.85) and American Evan Correll (48.05), who had won the gold in the 5,000 meters on Tuesday. 

In the male's 400 meters T53 (wheelchair), Brazilian Ariosvaldo Fernandes, despite securing first place with a time of 51.10 seconds, maintaining the crown won in Lima 2019, was the only one among the day's winners who did not break the Parapan American record, still held by Canadian Brent Lakatos (48.91). 

This marks the third Parapan American title for the athlete from Campina Grande, who stood atop the podium in Río 2007 as well. In this instance, he was joined in the medal ceremony by Americans Phillip Croft (52.23), also second in 2019, and Robert Hunt (52.48). 

Fernandes shared his sentiments, saying, "This medal means a lot; it is the result of work and a trajectory. This is a path to the 2024 Paralympic Games. It was a very tough race. 

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