Rosario continues to make a strong impact at the 2026 South American Games in Santa Fe, adding a fresh bronze medal to its tally, securing key tournament advancements, and positioning multiple athletes for podium finishes as the regional multi-sport event enters its final stretch.
Taekwondo competitor Brenda Ruiz Díaz claimed the bronze medal in the women’s -67 kg division. Fighting on home soil, the local athlete secured her podium spot by defeating Uruguay’s Milagros Álvarez 2-0. Ruiz Díaz opened her tournament path by overcoming Peru’s Eliana Vásquez before dropping a semifinal bout to Chile’s Claudia Gallardo.
Reflecting on her performance in front of a local crowd, Ruiz Díaz described the experience as unique. “It’s something I never experienced,” she said of winning a medal at home.
The city’s medal count could grow further on Friday at the Hipódromo Óvalo venue, where archer Alma Pueyo López competes for the bronze medal in the women’s individual recurve event against Brazil’s Isabelle Estevez. Pueyo López reached the medal match after defeating Bolivia’s Nilyem Rodríguez in the round of 16 and overcoming Colombia’s Tania Arias 7-3 in the quarterfinals, before falling 6-0 to Colombia’s Ana María Rendón in the semifinals.
Tennis Stars Advance to Semifinals and Finals
Tennis action at the Hipódromo Óvalo also yielded strong results for the Argentine delegation, anchored by several local competitors. Luciano Ambrogi advanced to the men’s singles semifinals by defeating Uruguay’s Francisco Llanes in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Ambrogi also moved forward in the mixed doubles tournament alongside Luciana Moyano, defeating their opponents 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) to reach the final four.
In the women’s draw, Luisina Giovannini and Jazmín Ortenzi secured a spot in the women’s doubles final after a 6-4, 6-4 victory. While Giovannini exited the singles tournament following a three-set quarterfinal loss to Peru’s Dana Guzmán (6-4, 2-6, 6-2), she remains active in doubles alongside Ortenzi, where they will face the Chilean pair of Jimar Gerald and Antonia Vergara for the gold.
Ambrogi will similarly contest two closing matches on Friday: his singles semifinal against Lautaro Midón, and the mixed doubles final alongside Moyano against Chile’s Fernanda Labraña and Matías Soto.
Team Sports and Athletics Highlights
At La Rural’s Nave C, the Argentine men’s squash team advanced to the semifinals of the team competition after defeating Chile 2-0. Robertino Pezzota set the tone by winning the opening point against Camilo Cifuentes in straight sets (11-5, 11-6, 11-4), ensuring another medal opportunity for the delegation on Friday.
In water polo, the Argentine men’s national team posted a dominant 13-5 victory over Uruguay at the Invencible Centro Acuático Provincial. The squad featured strong contributions from local players, including Tomás Tilatti with two goals, alongside single tallies from Tomás Echenique and Esteban Corsi, supported by teammates Lautaro Camino, Tomás Galimberto, and Ignacio Setti. Meanwhile, the Argentine women’s water polo team fell 17-8 to Brazil in a match that included local players Carla Comba, Cora Masip, Maitena Romano, and Nahir Stegmayer.
On the track at the athletics venue, Victoria Olives placed fifth in the women’s 800-meter final, while Guillermina Cossio finished seventh in the 200-meter dash. Cossio returns to the track on Friday to contest two relay finals.
The packed Friday schedule also features Franco Domínguez Ávila representing Argentina in the men’s football gold medal match against Paraguay, alongside the water polo semifinals and multiple tennis and archery medal bouts.
Worth a look
