Sport
Jamaica’s sprinters continue dominance
“It was easier than I expected,” Muñoz said. “I thought the race was going to be tougher. I really thought I was going to be behind a couple of opponents in the last 100 meters, but oh well, I capitalized on this opportunity.”
Cuba also earned a pair of weightlifting gold medals. Ivan Cambar won the men’s 77-kilogram category and Yoelmis Hernandez took the title at 85 kilograms.
Canada picked up three more gold medals as well, including one in a 2-1 win over the United States in the baseball final.
In gymnastics, Brazil won the men’s team title and earned a spot at an Olympic qualifying event in London in January. Brazil is hoping to qualify a full team for the Olympics for the first time.
Paola Longoria became Mexico’s biggest winner at this year’s Pan American Games by capturing her third gold medal in racquetball as part of the women’s team champions. Longoria already won the singles and doubles titles in Guadalajara.
“We are extremely happy for these medals because we know we worked for them,” Longoria said. “The only thing I have left to do is to thank our trainers because without them we wouldn’t be here.”
The track competition at the Pan American Games is well below the level of the world championships, but there were still some familiar faces.
Besides Suarez, Maurice Smith of Jamaica took silver in the decathlon. He was also at the worlds in Daegu, but failed to complete all 10 events.
In the 100 meters, 2003 world champion and 2011 bronze medalist Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis was second behind Clarke.
“I am still proud and happy to have won a medal for my country, despite not winning the gold medal,” the 35-year-old Collins said. “But these things happen and now I am going to put more effort into this.”
Copyright 2011. The Associated Press.
