by Ian Marshall, Editor
In a group organised event she accounted for Brazil’s Raiza da Silva (11-9, 11-7, 11-6), before overcoming Argentina’s Nayda Kuell (11-4, 11-13, 11-6, 3-11, 11-3) and Colombia’s Nelly Sanchez (11-7, 11-3, 12-10) to secure the top prize.
Success meant that Tamara Leonelli exceeded her efforts of four years earlier when the multi-sport event had been held in Toronto and matched her efforts of two years prior at the 2017 Para Pan American Championships staged in the Costa Rican capital city of San José. On the latter occasion, once again in a group organised competition, Tamara Leonelli had finished ahead of Nadia Kuell and Nelly Sanchez; in Lima the top three places were exactly the same.
An eye catching performance from Tamara Leonelli, likewise as the individual events progressed in the women’s singles events, Mexico’s Claudia Perez attracted the attention. The no.3 seed, competing in class 7, she accounted for Argentina’s Giselle Muñoz, the top seed (12-10, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8) in her opening match of the day, prior to overcoming Canada’s Stephanie Chen, the no.2 seed (11-9, 11-5, 5-11, 3-11, 11-7) and winner of the women’s singles class 6-7 title four years ago in Toronto. Claudia Perez faces the Brazilian duo of Milena dos Santos and Aline Meneses in her concluding matches.
Problems for Stephanie Chan but in the women’s singles events, there were no such difficulties experienced by the Brazilian reigning champions, the trio of Catia Oliveira (class 2-3), Joyce de Oliveira (class 4) and Danielle Rauen (class 8-10). All are very much on course for repeat success.
Similarly, Brazilian men who won in Toronto are on track. The hopes of Aloisio Lima (class 1), Iranildo Espindola (class 2) and David de Freitas (class 3) of more Pan American Games gold are very much alive, as are those of Carls Carbinatti (class 10).
Meanwhile, in a similar vein adding to what proved a good day for Chile, Matias Pino Lorca (class 6), the defending champion, Claudia Perez is through to the semi-final stage.
Play continues in the individual events on Saturday 24th August.
Lima 2019 Para Pan American Games: Draws and Latest Results
Lima 2019 Para Pan American Games: Official Website
