Por Casterman Medina de León 
In the legs of Matanzas para-athlete Pedro Urgellés Rustán, from the T12 category for the visually impaired, came the first gold medal for Cuba in the history of the Youth Parapan American Games.
With a time of 11.55 seconds, the Yumurino sprinter swept the distance of the 100-meter dash to take over the title. Behind came representatives from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, silver and bronze in that order.
The young man dedicated the victory to his family and to those who supported him for this sporting event. In addition, he said that from May 2022 until last May he was training for this multi-sport event.
He added that with these results he also has his sights set on the Parapan American Games in Chile and the Paralympics in France.
Previously, Cuba’s first medal at the V Youth Parapan American Games in Bogotá 2023 was contributed by judo with bronze by Neicel Ainel Betancourt, in the 66 kilograms (kg), J2 category.
About a thousand para-athletes from 20 countries participate in these games. In addition, 58 field assistants (such as para-athletics, blind football or Boccia guides) and 438 delegation officers participate. Among them are coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, administrative staff and mission managers.
Athletes compete in 12 disciplines: wheelchair basketball, boccia, blind football, pc football, goal ball, judo, para-athletics, para-swimming, para-powerlifting, para-table tennis, wheelchair tennis, sitting volleyball, and the results will mark the way to reach the Paris 2024 event. (ALH)
Translated by Casterman Medina de Leon