Pan American Games athletics competition has concluded with last day (November 4) finals at Julio Martinez Stadium where staged last 10 finals. In the final day, Ethan Katzberg of Canada recorded games record in athletics as he went beyond 80 metres in fifth round.
Katzberg, 21, was a surprising winner of Budapest 2023, continued his dream season as he puts more than three meters gap between American rivals in hammer final. The young Canadian has broken Kibwe Johnson’s 2011 mark by establishing new games record with 80.96 metres – first ever throw over 80 metres mark in Pan Am history. The United States team members Daniel Haugh and NACAC champion Rudy Winkler were standing on the podium as Chile’s defending Pan-Am gold medallist Gabriel Kehr finished sixth with 74.32m.
CASETTA'S RECORD RUN
Argentine’s distance dynamo Belen Casetta wins 3000m steeplechase as brought the team only athletics gold in six-day event. The Argentinian upgraded her 2019 bronze to gold in steeplechase after crossing the finish line at 9:39.47, a couple of seconds progress of existing Pan American Games record.
Women’s 800 metres title secured by Cuban Sahily Diago after a close finish with Uruguay’s title hope Deborah Rodriguez. Diago just edged Uruguayan rival by 0.17 seconds then grabbed her second gold in 90 minutes time in the 4x400 metres ahead of Marileidy Paulino powered Dominican team. World champion Paulino who’s one of the leading names in all competition, pushed hard for her third victory in Santiago but felt short. Still, the Dominican star held four medals in Santiago, including two golds.
BRAZIL ON TOP
United States initially led the medal table by gasping three gold medals in final day in women’s high jump, men’s pole vault and javelin throw. Brazilians have clinched very last gold in 4x400 metres which became their first-ever Pan Am title in the discipline though, reached eight gold. With the historic victory, Brazil steals top position in athletics from United States by silver medal after tied in eight of gold medal counts. In the previous Pan American Games, only United States and Cuba has been topped the athletics table, now Brazil added their flag to the very unique shortlist for ruling the sport.
