Mexico and Ecuador taste gold in Junior Pan American Games in Cali (COL)

Double gold medallist Catherine Mayran Oliver of Mexico was the standout performer as the best young pentathletes in the Americas starred in the 1st Junior Pan American Games.

It was only the second time a high-level Modern Pentathlon competition had taken place in Colombia, and 46 athletes from 15 countries travelled to Cali for five days of competition (December 1-5).

Dominant Women’s Individual champion Oliver (MEX), who had already won the qualification competition in Oaxtepec (MEX) in August, was joined on the podium by team-mate Cecilia Meza (MEX), who won silver ahead of bronze medallist Camila Fuenzalida of Argentina.

The Men’s Individual crown was worn by Andres Torres of Ecuador after a convincing victory over silver medallist Franco Serrano (ARG) and Matheus Nobre (BRA), who claimed bronze.

Individual champions Oliver (MEX) and Torres (ECU) secured a quota place in the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago (CHI). Guatemala, Cuba, Chile and Venezuela also had athletes ranking in the top 10 of the individual events.

There was further success for Mexico in the Mixed Relay as Oliver (MEX) teamed up with Lorenzo Macias (MEX) for a second helping of gold. Silver went to Paula Valencia and Andres Fernandez of Guatemala, while Dinsa Leyva and Marcos Rojas Jimenez of Cuba took home the bronze.