Colombia secured a dominant day at the South American Games in Santa Fe, driven by standout gold-medal performances in archery and track and field that kept the delegation in a tight race with Argentina for second place in the overall medal standings, Yahoo Daily News reported. With only the final day of competition remaining on Saturday, Argentina held the second-position spot with 74 gold medals while Colombia sat third with 66, and Brazil already clinched the overall title with 114 gold medals.
Archery Stars Defeat World No. 1 and Secure National Finals
The archery program delivered some of the most dramatic moments of the competition for the Colombian delegation. Jorge Enríquez claimed gold in an intense duel against Brazil’s Marcus D’Almeida, the world’s top-ranked archer. The match ended 6-5 and required a pair of shoot-offs to separate them. After both competitors tied at nine points in the initial shoot-off, Enríquez matched that nine-point score in the second tiebreaker, but placed his arrow closer to the X-ring to capture the victory and secure his South American Games bicampeonato after winning the same event at the 2022 Asunción edition.
In the women’s compound final, Sara López triumphed 146-143 in an all-Colombian match against Alejandra Usquiano to collect her third gold medal of the Santa Fe games, having previously secured titles in the women’s team and mixed team events. The compound men’s division also featured an internal national final, where Pablo Gómez defeated Sebastián Arenas 147-145. Meanwhile, Antioquia’s Ana María Rendón claimed the recurve gold medal by defeating Brazil’s Ane Dos Santos 6-0 in the final round.
Track and Field Relays Deliver Gold and a New Continental Record
On the running track, the Colombian sprint squads added crucial gold medals to the country’s tally. Ronal Longa secured his third title of the Santa Fe games by anchoring the men’s 4×100-meter relay team. Longa erased a deficit on the final leg to secure victory in 39.09 seconds, running alongside teammates Carlos Flórez, John Paredes, and Carlos Palacios. Venezuela finished second with a time of 39.14 seconds, while Guyana placed third at 39.23 seconds.
The women’s 4×100-meter relay team matched that success. Marleth Ospino, Angélica Gamboa, Danna Banquez, and María Camila Maturana crossed the finish line in 44.36 seconds to take the gold medal and establish a new South American Games record. Chile earned the silver medal with a time of 44.65 seconds, and Brazil claimed the bronze at 44.79 seconds.
The Final Day of Competition in Santa Fe
Competition at the South American Games concludes on Saturday with the final medal events across the host city of Santa Fe. The closing program features tournaments and finals in badminton, equestrian, team handball, racquetball, squash, table tennis, tennis, and water polo, which will determine the final placings in the medal table behind Brazil.
Frequently Asked Questions About the South American Games Finish
Where are the current South American Games taking place?
The South American Games are being hosted in Santa Fe, following up on the previous edition held four years prior in Asunción.
How many total gold medals did Sara López win in Santa Fe?
Sara López secured three gold medals during the Santa Fe games, winning the individual compound final, the women’s team event, and the mixed team competition.
What was the outcome of the men’s 4×100-meter relay final?
Colombia won the men’s 4×100-meter relay gold medal with a time of 39.09 seconds, powered by a final-leg comeback from Ronal Longa, ahead of silver-medalist Venezuela and bronze-medalist Guyana.
Worth a look
