Outstandings Para-Badminton players won 33 medals for the Pan American region at the Brazil Para-Badminton International 2018, held at the Brazilian Paralympic Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with the participation of more than 130 athletes from Canada, Chile, Colombia , France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Scotland, Spain, USA, Venezuela and host Brazil.
Despite the large delegation from Japan and another important number of players with good positions in the World Ranking, the Pan American athletes occupied several times the awards podium.
The locals won the most medals (15), where Vitor Gonçalves Tavares won 3 gold medals. In Singles SS6, Vitor beat Yohei Hatakeyama of Japan by 21-9 and 21-13. Also, the Brazilian won gold in Doubles with Miles Krajewski (USA) and in Mixed Doubles with Rubi Fernandez from Peru.
Abinaecia Da Silva also won a gold medal for Brazil in WD SL3-SU5 with Mamiko Toyoda (JPN). While Marcelo Alves conquered bronze medal in MS WH1 and silver in MD WH1-WH2.
Peru added 10 medals in this tournament. Giuliana Poveda won a gold medal in Singles SS6 and Silver in Mixed Doubles with Jesus Salva. While Pilar Jauregui won the silver medal in WS WH2, after falling to Rie Ogura (ranked 8 in the world), and bronze in XD WH1-WH2 with Rodolfo Cano (BRA). Pedro Pablo de Vinatea added 2 bronze medals, one in MS SL3 and the other in MD SL3-SL4 with Pascal Lapointe (CAN). Jenny Ventoncilla reach the gold in WS SL4 and bronze in Doubles.
Five bronze medals conquered Chile. Jaime Aranguiz in MS WH2, Fabiola Prado in WS and XD SS6 with Pablo Coloma, Araceli Pizarro in WS SL3 and WD SL3-SU5 with Jessica Dos Santos Vieira from Brazil.
Athletes from the United States, Canada and Colombia also added medals for their countries.
You can see all the results here.
Para-Badminton players of the Pan Am region will continue to prepare for the debut of this sport in Tokyo 2020, when they will compete at the Pan Am Para-Badminton Championships 2018 that will be held in Lima, Peru, next November.
It is important to point out that, before the tournament, an athletes’ camp was held (featured image) organized by the Brazil Badminton Federation together with the Spanish Federation, where our athletes had the opportunity to share experiences and keep improving in our sport.
Congratulations to all the participants!!!
