Lima, August 7 (RHC) – Yaime Perez became Cuba´s first champion in Athletics in this edition of the Pan-Am Games in Lima, Peru. The Cuban Discus thrower achieved a 66.58-meter launch, a new Pan-Am record, and left Brazilian Andrea de Oliveira (65.98) with the Silver medal.

In the dramatic event, the other Cuban, World Champion in Beijing 2015, Denia Caballero, was not enjoying her best day, as she finished 4th (60.46).

Yaime Perez spoke to reporters and said: “I am super happy, because it has been a year full of sacrifices. I knew I could get the Gold.  It was not an easy competition, but it wasn’t that hard either.”

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, proud of the title Perez won, sent a congratulatory message to the Pan-American Champion. “Yaime Perez, heart, talent, commitment, courage, strength and a Gold medal. Congratulations Champ. A champion with a Mambisa bloodline.  Pan-American Record,” wrote President Diaz-Canel on Twitter.

On the same day, Santiago de Cuba native Zurian Hechavarria advanced to the Women´s 400 Meters Hurdles with the best time among the 8 athletes that qualified for the Finals, a career best 55.00 seconds.

Rose Mary Almanza dominated her heat in the 800 Meters Semi-Finals, while 20-year old Heptathlon athlete Adriana Rodriguez made her debut in Continental competitions with a 6th place in Long Jump.

In Men´s Discus Throw, the Guadalajara 2011 Pan-Am champion Jorge Fernandez, finished 4th in a competition dominated by favorite Jamaican Fedrick Dacres, who won the Gold medal with a new Pan-Am record (67.68). In the Men´s 100 Meters, Reynier Mena and Harlyn Perez could not make it pass the Semi-Finals. Mena finished 6th (10.43) and Perez was disqualified due to a false start.

Cuban participation in Athletics was completed by Decathlon athletes Briander Rivero and Leonel Suarez. After the first five events of the Decathlon, Rivero is in 8th place and Suarez is currently 9th.