Friday, November 24th, 2023.- Samuel Oliveira concludes his outstanding season on a high note by setting the world record in the 400 meters T20 (intellectual impairment) at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games.

The Brazilian, who had previously won gold at the Paris World Championships, secured victory in the race at the Centro Atlético Mario Recordón of the Estadio Nacional with a time of 46.48 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by his compatriot Daniel Tavares in 2019 with a time of 46.86 seconds.

The race was so fast that the second-place finisher, Colombian Jhon Obando, also would have surpassed Tavares with his time of 46.79 seconds. The bronze went to Venezuelan Luis Felipe Rodríguez (47.40 seconds), who had also finished third in the previous edition of the continental event at Lima 2019.

"I am happy with the result. We train all day for this to happen. It is a dream come true," said the 24-year-old athlete from São Paulo.

The world record in the male's 100 meters T20 is the third to be achieved in athletics at the current Parapan American Games, following Brazilian Elizabeth Rodrigues breaking the world record in the F51 discus throw with 17.80 meters and Cuban Robiel Yankel Sol setting a new record in the T47 long jump (physical disability in upper limbs) with a jump of 7.74 meters.

Minutes later, Colombian Buinder Bermúdez, a bronze medalist at Paris 2023, set a new Parapan American record in the 400 meters T13 (visual impairment) by completing the distance in 49.50 seconds, surpassing the 50.39 seconds achieved by American Royal Mitchell 16 years ago at Rio 2007.

Behind the Colombian, came Brazilian Davi Wilker (49.60 seconds), and Venezuelan Yosmer Rojas (50.85 seconds).

Written by Macarena Navias; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Marcelo Hernández / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport