South American Games provide great showcase for Modern Pentathlon

One of the most important events on South American soil took place this weekend in the Chilean capital Santiago where 14 different NOCs and 30 sports were represented at the ODESUR Games. It was the first time that modern pentathlon was included in the Games in a historical moment for the sport in this region. 

The Brazilian squad showed they are making huge strides in their preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as they claimed gold in both the men and women’s draws in two terrific world class competitions.

In the women’s, Brazil’s World No.5 and London 2012 bronze medallist Yane Marques impressed as she took top spot ahead of home crowd favourite Javiera Rosas from Chile in silver and her compatriot Priscilla Oliveira in bronze. The 30-year-old had a strong end of season last year and will now be high on confidence in 2014 following this great result in Santiago.

Felipe Nascimiento was the main man in the other draw as he triumphed in style to make it a second gold for Brazil. Barely 20, Nascimiento took the winner’s medal with panache, holding off the challenge of another Brazilian, Danilo Fagundes, for victory. Fagundes had to settle for silver with Esteban Bustos taking bronze to give the hosts their second medal of the competition. Full men's results

Medals were presented by UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann and Helio Meirelles, Brazil Modern Pentathlon President, and Carlos Nuzman, President of the Brazilian NOC and Rio 2016 Organizing Committee.

These Games also featured a Mixed Relay competition where to the delight of the home supporters, it was Chile who took the title as Javiera Rosas and Estaban Bustos teamed up to great effect. Brazil took silver with Priscilla Oliveira and Fernando Nascimiento showing great spirit to fend off the challenge of siblings Ayelen Zapata and Emmanuel Zapata of Argentina in bronze.

The medals were presented by Jorge Salas, President of the South American Modern Pentathlon Confederation, and Rodrigo Moreno, Secretary General of the Chilean NOC

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