Pan Am players from Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, United States, Peru, Brazil … secured medals after winning during the Quarter-Finals day at Santiago 2023.
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Defeating the favourites
The Guatemalan duo, Anibal Marroquin and Jonathan Solis, gave the surprise of the day. They defeated the 1 seed pair, Ty Lindeman and Kevin Lee, in an exciting 3-games-match.
The Canadian duo, who played today their first match in this Pan American Games due to having the best ranking in the region, started winning the first game (21-15) but were surprised by Anibal and Jonathan, who won the second game by 21- 10. A close third game had the final score 21-18 in favor of the Guatemalan duo and they will play the semifinals tomorrow.
“It was a difficult match. We knew we were going against the odds and I have only reached the Quarterfinals before, so I am very happy and excited to have achieved this.” said Jonathan Solis while Anibal Marroquin recognized that the communication between them during the match was the most important for the success. “Communication was key for us. We were able to sustain the game we wanted, maintain consistency and coordination. That support between us was very important to achieve this result.”
Historical medal is on the way
El Salvador star, Uriel Canjura, qualify for Semifinals after defeat Olympian Howard Shu (USA) 2-0.
With an ascending career, Uriel Canjura is already a reality in Pan American badminton and now he managed to defeat important and leading athletes in the region to climb to the podium in Santiago 2023. After beating Job Castillo in the first round and today against Howard Shu, Uriel gets the first medal for his country in the badminton competition in the history of the Pan American Games.
“I have faced players with a lot of experience and thank God I have been able to get to the Semifinal. Every match is a final, so I am going to fight for all the points to be able to get a gold medal.” – Uriel Canjura after the quarter-final match.
Day Quotes
“It is always very special to play against Ygor, he is a great player and he is the Lima 2019 champion. I am very happy because I have been off the courts for 4 years, with 8 knee surgeries and difficult moments. For me this is a dream, a triumph that I did not expect.” refered Ramon Garrido (MEX) after defeated the defending champion, Ygor Coelho (MEX), 21-14, 21-15, and reach the Semifinals.
“We are very excited, this result motivates us. It has been important for us to remember our path here and we have been motivated since the Central American Games to achieve this result.” said Miriam Rodriguez and Romina Fregoso after defeating Jamaicans Katherine Wynter/ Tahlia Richardson in Quarter-finals.
Mixed Doubles pair, Davi Silva and Sania Lima also reach Semifinals after defeating mexicans Luis Montoya/Miriam Rodriguez (MEX). “We are very excited. It is our first Pan American Games and we have already won a medal, now we have to see what the color of the medal will be and I hope it will be the gold medal.”
“We feel very happy. It was 4 years of a lot of work away from home, away from our family, a lot of time fighting to be here and now for a medal. So we are very happy.” Fabricio Farias and Davi Silva after their victory in Quarter-Finals againts Vinson Chiu/Joshua Yuan (USA) in a 3-games-match.
Taymara Oropesa (CUB) defeated Haramara Gaitan (MEX) in a very tough match by 21-17, 18-21, 24-22. “I feel very very very happy. It was a very hard-fought match, 3 games, and very even. I was on the verge of losing it on two occasions but I stayed calm and kept fighting until the end as always. I think the victory is well deserved. “
Also in Women’s Singles, Pan Am Junior Games champ, Rachel Chan (CAN) defeated Ines Castillo (PER) and will face seeded 1 Beiwen Zhang (USA) in Semifinals. “My goal is to get the gold medal at the Pan American Games. It will definitely be difficult, I have a very challenging match now but I will do my best.”
Badminton Competition at Santiago 2023 Pan Am Games will continue on Tuesday 24 with the Semifinals. Good luck to all the athletes!
