After two road sessions on subsequent Sundays, athletics competition returned to the stadium in 30th of October, which the day around 7000 Chilean fans flocked to Julia Martinez Stadium to witnessing first in-field action at the Pan American Games. Deservedly, the home crowd enjoyed Lucas Nervi’s victory in discus throw while other title goes to different nations.
Chilean discus thrower Lucas Nervi upgraded his 2001 Pan-Am Junior Games title to seniors in Santiago. The 22-year-old produced his sixth farthest throw (63.39m) in his career which effort distanced him from closest rival by one-and-a-half meter. Triple South American champion Mauricio Ortega throws 61.86 for silver ahead of two-time defending champion Fedrick Dacres of Jamaica who finished third. Five men recorded 60 metres plus throws in the final as Chilean record holder Claudio Romero, one of the biggest favourites to win, left off from the field with a huge disappointment after his no-mark finish.
When Lucas Nervi is becoming first Chilean for claim victory in men’s discus as Izabela Rodrigues has done same thing for Brazil in the women side. In previous 18 discus competition since 1951, Brazil had been won only two medals, meanwhile they just made 1-2 in the discus final in Santiago. Rodrigues, a prolific junior and former World U20 champion, has marked 59.63 to win ahead of compatriot Andressa Morais. Behind two Brazilians, Jamaica’s world championships representative Samantha Hall climbed her first-ever international podium with performing 59.14m in her second attempt. Cuba has left from the final with empty hands by their two finalists has ranked just outside of top three, which means they did not win a discus medal first time since 1963.
THIRD GOLD FOR PERU
Peru has embraced third Pan Am title already to maintain their recent revolutionary success in long distance enduro events. Before 2019 Games which held in their capital, Peru has only two Pan Am golds from 1951 and 1975. But last two editions, Peruvian titles number rise up to five including Luz Mery Rojas 10,000 metres crown here.
Fresh South American titlist Luz Mery Rojas has crowned in Pan American territory by clocking her second life-time best 33:12.99 for 10,000 final. Rojas was hiding herself behind front runners until 7500 metres then charged to lead in last six lap before kicked to the glory. Laura Galvan came to the finish line by some 25 metres gap then Kenyan-born American Ednah Kurgat completes the podium.
Rivetingly, other individual final of the day witnessed another “first-time” gold in their Pan American history. It was women’s long jump glory for Colombia. A very talented upcomer Natalia Linares, 20, adds Pan American title to her cupboard after Bolivarian and Central American Games victories within last 15 months. She jumped 6.66 in the third round to overcome Eliane Martins of Brazil, who has recorded only valid jump (6.49) in opening attempt.
The last medal competition of the session was held in mixed relay. The strong Dominican Republic team led by World 400m champion Marileidy Paulino, clocked 3:16.05 to steal victory ahead of Brazil and United States. Paulino lapped sub-50 (49.83 from transponder) in anchor leg to well establish two and a half second gap over silver medallist. Her team-mate Anabel Medina get a good compensation though after painful disqualification in 400m semi-final earlier of the day.
