by Ian Marshall, Editor

Gold medallist at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games and in the individual events the same colour medal at every Para Pan American Games since 2003 in Brasilia, Tal Leibovitz made it five in a row by securing the men’s singles class 9 title; at the final hurdle he accounted for Mexico’s Miguel Vazquez (11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10).

A fifth for Tal Leibovitz, for Matias Pino Lorca it was a second; in the title decider he accounted for Ian Seidenfeld (11-9, 11-9, 11-4), like Tal Leibovitz from the United States.

Success for the United States and Chile but the day belonged to Brazil.

In the men’s singles categories, Paulo Salmin claimed the class 7 title finishing ahead of Argentina’s Aleksy Kaniuka in a group organised event. Meanwhile, Luis Guarnieri Manara overcame Costa Rica’s Steven Roman to emerge the class 8 winner, Carlos Carbinatti clinched the class 10 title, as in Toronto, beating colleague Claudio Massad (11-6, 11-9, 11-7) in the final.

Similarly, in the women’s singles events, Joyce Oliveira beat Mexico’s Martha Verdin (11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9) to secure class 4 gold; Danielle Rauen clinched the class 9-10 title at the expense of colleague Jennyfer Parinos (11-4, 11-2, 11-3).

Titles defended but there were two events where Brazilians fell short. In women’s singles class 2-3, Catia Oliveira, who had won class 1-2 in Toronto, witnessed defeat at the semi-final stage, losing to compatriot, Marliane Santos (11-7, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5), the eventual silver medallist. She was beaten in the final by Mexico’s Edith Sagala (11-9, 12-10, 11-9).

Also, in the men’s singles events, it was not to be a repeat for Aloisio Lima or for David Andrade de Freitas. Competing in class 1, Aloisio Lima was beaten in the final by Cuba’s Yunier Fernandez (11-5, 11-2, 11-6); for David Andrade de Freitas, it was a rather earlier exit. On duty in class 3, he experienced a semi-final quarter-final defeat at the hands of Jenson Van Emburgh of the United States (11-5, 11-13, 11-8, 11-9), the eventual runner up. He caused Brazil more pain by beating Welder Knaf, the top seed (11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9), prior to experiencing defeat in the final when opposing Argentina’s Gabriel Copola (7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9).

Gold for Argentina and there was more gold; Mauro Depergola beat Ahad Sarand of the United States (7-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9).

Likewise, there was more success for Chile and Mexico. Following in the footsteps of Matias Pino Lorca and Tamara Leonelli who had won women’s singles class 5 the previous day, Cristian Gonzalez secured the men’s singles class 4 title; emulating Edith Sigala, Victor Reyes emerged successful in men’s singles class 2, Claudia Perez in women’s singles class 7.

Claudia Perez finished in first place in a group administered event ahead of Argentina’s Giselle Muñoz, who as in Toronto had to settle for silver; Victor Reyes beat Chile’s Luis Bustamente in the final (11-9, 8-11, 16-14, 10-12, 11-6). Similarly in the title decider, Cristian Gonzalez accounted for Brazil’s Eziquiel Babes (1106, 11-5, 11-9).

Attention now turns to the team events; play concludes in Lima on Tuesday 27th August.

Lima 2019 Para Pan American Games: Draws and Latest Results

Lima 2019 Para Pan American Games: Official Website