Guatemalan medalists in the Pan American Games receive recognition and economic prize

The Guatemalan delegation achieved one of the best performances in history, despite the fact that its athletes participated as Independent Athletes

GUATEMALA CITY — The athletes who reached the podium in the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games by Guatemala were feted and recognized this Tuesday by the Guatemalan Olympic Committee -COG- in an emotional ceremony in which the financial prizes were also awarded.

Despite the situation faced by the COG, suspended since October of last year by the International Olympic Committee, the Guatemalan delegation stood up for the country and achieved a historic performance.

The delegation finished in 14th place in the overall medal table with 19 medals: 3 gold, 4 silver and 12 bronzein addition to getting some tickets to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. To achieve the third best presentation of Guatemala in history, behind Guadalajara 2011 and Toronto 2015.

At the ceremony there were awards for all the medalists, in addition to special recognition for historical achievements, such as Alberto Gonzalez in Athletics. The coaches were also recognized.

The Guatemalans who got the ticket to Paris 2024 Olympic Games They also had their space. These are Jean Pierre Brol and Adriana Ruano (shooting), Sophia Hernández and Andrés Fernández (Pentathlon) and Juan Ignacio Maegli (Sailing).

“At kilometer 5.5 I was no longer feeling very good, I felt fatigued, but I remembered what my coach told me: ‘an entire country expects the best from you’, I remembered that. I gave my best and the bronze medal was won. I know we all did our best and I want to encourage you to work hard to achieve our goals. I thank you for the privilege,” said athlete Alberto González.

The COG reported that the financial prize increased by 20% in relation to the prize that was awarded for Lima 2019. There was space to recognize athletes who have stood out during the year, such as the skater Faberson Bonilla and the golfer Jose Toledo.

“These achievements are not only a testament to the talent of our athletes, but also to the comprehensive support of the Guatemalan sports community. Despite the challenges, we continue to move forward and work tirelessly so that our athletes proudly carry the Guatemalan flag in future competitions,” said Jorge Rodas, president of the COG.

The medalists

Gold medal

• Women’s Doubles Racquetball – Ana Gabriela Martínez and María Renée Rodríguez

• Shot – Jean Pierre Brol (Men’s Trap)

• Shooting – Adriana Ruano (Female After)

Silver medal

• Badminton – Kevin Cordón (Men’s Singles)

• Modern Pentathlon – Paula Valencia and Sophia Hernández (Women’s Relay)

• Taekwondo – María Higueros (Female Individual Poomsae)

• Shot – Ana Soto (Female Trap)

Bronze medal

• Athletics – Alberto González (men’s 10,000 meters)

• Badminton – Lesvin Marroquín and Jonathan Solís (Men’s Doubles)

• Karate – Allan Maldonado (-75 kg men), Bárbara Morales (-50 kg women) and María Reneé Wong (-61 kg women)

• Modern Pentathlon – Sophia Hernández (Women’s Individual)

• Raquetball – Edwin Galicia and Juan Salvatierra (Men’s Doubles) and Gabriela Martínez and María Renée Rodríguez (Women’s Team)

• Squash – José Enríquez and Alejandro Enríquez (Men’s Doubles) and Luis Quisquinay and Tabita Gaitán (Mixed Dolbes)

• Shot – Heber Brol (Men’s Trap)

• Sailing – Juan Ignacio Maegli (Boat – ILCA 7)