Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center reopened its doors. This time it was rugby in both men's and women's events. There was a pleasant atmosphere at the venue. Early on, fans of various nationalities were present to encourage their respective countries. The fun was guaranteed with a face painting show for children and entertainment for adults.

And so it was. While 14 female players faced a tough match on the field, divided in two halves of seven minutes each, the atmosphere in the grandstands was that of a party.

The day opened with a lively match between Argentina and Colombia, with a 24-14 win for the Colombians. Then, the United States earned a comprehensive victory over Trinidad and Tobago by beating them 55-0. Both matches belong to Group A.

Peruvian Debut

With the song “Contigo Peru” as background, the Peruvian team took to the field to face a big rival, Brazil—reigning South American champions—in a match for group B. Under constant encouragement, the home team went ahead with a Michelle Flores try, but soon the action was leveled. The Peruvian hopes were short-lived as Brazil showed their supremacy, especially in the second half, eventually defeating the Peruvian team 33-5.

“It hurts me to lose, because it's our flag, it's our home, but this means that there are many things for us to improve,” said Michelle Flores, who highlighted the positive atmosphere experienced in Villa María del Triunfo. “What does it feel like to score? It's incredible, but we do this as a team,” she mentioned.

In the second match, Canada defeated Mexico 54-0 in a match for Group B.  

Also for Men's

But the games didn't finish there. After the women's matches, the male rugby players also jumped onto the field. For Group A, Brazil and Chile played an exciting match, whose final result showed how even it was: 14-14. Both teams left the field with well-deserved applause from the grandstands.

In other results, the United States beat Guyana 62-0, also in Group A, while in Group B, Canada beat Uruguay 31-0 and finally Argentina, the current South American champions, beat Jamaica 52-0.

The action continues tomorrow at Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center from 10:10 with the match between Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago for Group A. Peru will face off Canada at 11:00.

To be part of the Rubgy celebration, buy your tickets at lima2019.pe/tickets or at any authorized point of sale across the city.

A crucial day in Lima 2019. A few hours before the Pan American Games Opening Ceremony, the competitions of this event continue and others, such as rugby and artistic skating, begin.

Modern pentathlon is a sport that includes swimming, equestrian, fencing and laser run (shooting and running). For this sport, the fencing competitions, in men’s and women’s singles, will be held from 09:00 to 15:00 at the Lima Convention Center in San Borja.

Beach volleyball competitions will continue at the Costa Verde venue in San Miguel with 16 preliminary matches, in men’s and women’s category, from 08:00 to 14:40.

The rugby competitions will kick off at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center with the women’s category, with matches between Colombia and Argentina (09:50), and United States vs. Trinidad and Tobago (10:15). At 10:40, Brazil and Peru will participate in a spectacular match, and Canada vs. Mexico (11:05) will close the session.

In men’s category, the stage is just as attractive with matches between Brazil and Chile (11:30), United States vs. Guyana (11:55), Canada vs. Uruguay (12:20) and Argentina vs. Jamaica (12:45).

NATIONAL SPORTS VILLAGE

Artistic skating is one of the other disciplines that begins prior to the Lima 2019 Opening Ceremony. Short sessions in men’s and women’s category have been scheduled from 10:00 to 12:00, at the National Sports Village (VIDENA) in San Luis.

As for squash, the quarterfinals for men’s singles, women’s and men’s doubles will take place from 08:00 to 12:00.

The race for the Pan American podium will continue on Thursday, July 25. The Lima 2019 Pan American Games got underway with a series of riveting beach volleyball and handball matches. It is now turn for bowling, modern pentathlon, softball and squash competitions to start.

Women's preliminary handball matches, USA vs Dominican Republic (13:00-15:00), Cuba vs Puerto Rico (15:30-17:30), Peru vs Argentina (18:00-20:00) and Canada vs Brazil (20:30-22:30), are part of the sports program to take place at National Sports Village (VIDENA) in San Luis.

Beach volleyball competitions will continue today: 16 matches, in women's and men’s categories, will be held at Costa Verde Center San Miguel from 9:00 to 15:40.

JOIN US ON THE FIELD

At VIDENA, six men's doubles bowling events will be held from 9:00 to 13:00, while women’s doubles will take place from 16:00 to 20:00. Modern pentathlon will begin with the jumping events starting at 10:00 at Chorrillos Military School.

Men's softball preliminary round game between Mexico vs Argentina will go from 10:00 to 12:30 at Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center. Right after that, Venezuela and United States will clash from 13:00 to 15:30. Peru will close the session as they face off Cuba (16:00-18:30).

Finally, squash events in women’s singles, men’s singles and men’s doubles will be held from 9:00 to 15:00 at VIDENA In the quarterfinals, women’s singles will start at 18:45, while men’s singles will do so at 19:45. To learn more about the program, check out www.lima2019.pe

Let us not forget that Peruvian and international athletes need strong encouragement from us, sports fans, to win as many medals as possible.

You still have the chance to buy your tickets for any of the 26 sports that are available at lima2019.pe/tickets Some of them are: Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, softball, boxing, archery, baseball, taekwondo, hockey, squash and surf.

Tickets for beach volleyball, shooting, volleyball, racquetball, basketball 3x3, cycling, badminton, track cycling, Basque pelota, karate, tennis, swimming, handball, table tennis and weightlifting are also available.