Friday, November 24th, 2023.- Chile celebrates at the Parapan American Games, and wheelchair tennis confirms that there is a future. In the first match on Friday at the Court Central of the Centro Deportivo de Tenis, wheelchair tennis player Francisco Cayulef won the gold medal in the Quad Singles (Mixed) category.

The Chilean triumphed in a hard-fought three-set match against Canadian Robert Shaw, with scores of 6-3, 5-7, and 6-4, in two hours and 19 minutes of play.

Francisco Cayulef received significant support from the stands, and with his victory, he secured the 14th gold medal for Team ParaChile, solidifying their position in the sixth spot on the Santiago 2023 medal tally.

Later, Alexander Cataldo and Brayan Tapia also stepped onto the podium as they finished in third place in the male's wheelchair tennis category. The duo added another bronze medal to the Chilean delegation by defeating Americans Casey Ratzlaff and Conner Stroud 6-3, 6-3, in an hour and 31 minutes.

Closing the day at the Grandstand of the Estadio Nacional, Macarena Cabrillana secured an emotional bronze medal in tennis. The local tennis player wanted to conclude her participation in the Parapan American Games with a medal, and she did just that by defeating Argentina's María Florencia Moreno with scores of 6-4, 3-6, and 7-6 (5), with the crowd supporting from the stands.

Para athletics also brought joy on Friday. Para athlete Amanda Cerna claimed the bronze medal in the T47 category 400-meter final after the disqualification of Venezuela's Lisbeli Vera, who had initially finished second but crossed lanes during the race. This way, Cerna, who originally placed fourth, moved up a spot and onto the podium.

Finally, para swimming also delivered joy on Friday. Vicente Almonacid, the para swimmer who secured the 13th gold medal for Team ParaChile on Thursday, today won the silver in the 100m breaststroke, where Colombian Carlos Serrano claimed the gold. Almonacid also set a Parapan American record in the SB8 category, clocking in at 1:11.71.

Written by Ernesto Bustos B; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Marcelo Hernández / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport