A big party was held this afternoon at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, where Brazil defeated Argentina and win the gold medal in the hard-fought final match of football-5-a-side, an adaptation of football for people with a vision impairment.

The Brazilians scored the first goal during the first half and, despite the multiple attempts of both teams, the scoreboard did not change before the halftime interval. The public filled the sports center and was impressed by the skills of these Para athletes and their attempts to score a goal.

During the halftime interval, the Lima 2019 Games official mascot Milco and volunteers invited everyone to stand up, including Argentinian and Brazilian fans, to dance to the rhythm of “Cariñito,” among other songs.

In the second half and after six accumulated fouls of the Argentinian team, a penalty kick was awarded for the Brazilian team, who scored the second goal. The final score was 2-0.

With the “Brazil champion” chants, the “carioca” team approached the grandstand area after the match to thank the fans, sing together and celebrate the victory.

Tamiris Francis, wife of number 9 player Tiago Silva of the Brazilian football-5-a-side team, said the team deserves this victory because they are really focused and very dedicated. “Being here makes me very happy, and I get excited because I’ve been following them and they’re the best,” she added.

Previously, Mexico overcame Colombia 1-0 and picked up the bronze medal.

The Peruvian Para badminton delegation, represented by Pedro Pablo de Vinatea, seeks the gold medal on the penultimate day of competition against the Brazilian Leonardo Zuffo at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.

People who want to enjoy the Lima 2019 Ambassador’s performance against the Brazilian Zuffo, must attend the Sports Center 3 of the National Sports Village (VIDENA) at 15:00. Also, from 9:00, Peruvians Jesús Salvá and Pablo Cueto will compete for the bronze against their Canadian counterparts.

There will also be other competitions; the final of wheelchair basketball between the United States and Canada will take place in the VIDENA Sports Center 1 at 17:00. Colombia and Argentina will compete for the bronze at 14:30 in men’s competition.

The final of football 7-a-side between Argentina and Brazil will take place in the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center at 12:00. United States and Venezuela will compete for the bronze medal at 09:00.

The finals of goalball between United States and Brazil, in men’s and women’s category, will be held in the Miguel Grau Coliseum at 16:30.

Para swimming finals in 50m backstroke, 4x100m relay, 200m individual medley, among other categories, will take place in the VIDENA Aquatic Center at 09:00. The Peruvian Rodrigo Santillán will be one of the competitors.

The most outstanding Para weightlifters of the Americas will compete in the finals of 88 kg, 97 kg, 61 kg, -107 kg, +107 kg and -80 kg categories at the VIDENA Sports Center 1.

Likewise, the second day of Para taekwondo will take place starting at 09:00 and the qualified Para athletes will compete for the gold, silver and bronze medals in the K44 -75 kg, K44 +75 kg, among other categories in the final stretch of the second session, which starts at 15:00. Peruvians José Navarro and Shiroy Rentería will compete for the medals.

Finally, boccia competitions will also take place; gold medals will be defined in the individual BC4, BC3, among other categories during the first session.

Motivated by the support of Peruvian fans, the young national promise of Para sports, Rodrigo Santillán, took the sixth place in the hard-fought men’s 50m freestyle Para swimming final.  

The 14-year-old Para athlete clocked 1:15.61. Brazil won the gold medal with Gabriel Dos Santos, who clocked 57:88. Chilean Alberto Abarza and Brazilian Bruno Becker took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.  

However, Santillán seeks to prove himself tomorrow in the 100m freestyle final. He wants to seal his participation in the Parapan American Games with a medal, as well as beat his personal best of 1:13. 

On the other hand, although he has not obtained a place on the podium, the young Para athlete feels excited as the times he has clocked so far have ensured his participation in two important international competitions. Rodrigo Santillán delivers a great performance in Para swimming.  

“I didn’t think I'd make it to finals with the best of the Americas. Now my plans are for London 2019 World Para Swimming Championships, which will take place in a few weeks, and Tokyo 2020,” he said enthusiastically.  

On the other hand, his coach Fernando Cuadros says that the young Para swimmer has a promising future ahead. “Lima 2019 is a great experience for him and will significantly contribute to his performance in future world championships,” he stressed.    

This way, the young Peruvian representative will seek to close his participation in the most important sporting event of the Americas with his best performance and lay the foundations to participate in two major international events, looking to immortalize his name and bring glory to his country.