Havana, November 18 (PL) --Swimmer Yosjaniel Hernandez gave Cuba the first medal in the VII Parapan American Games Santiago 2023, when he won bronze today in the final of the 200 meters combined, category SM7.

Hernandez timed 2:51.82 minutes at the end of the four styles, in an event won by the Colombian Carlos Serrano, who repeated the golden crown achieved in the previous edition of Lima-2019 and set a new Parapan American record with 2:31.64 minutes.

The silver medal went to Argentina's Inaki Basiloff (2:32.01).

The SM7 category is for swimmers with physical disabilities that limit the movement of the arms, torso and legs from a low to moderate level, with little mobility in the lower part of one side of the body and athletes with very short stature, as in the case of the Cuban swimmer.

Another swimmer from the largest of the Antilles, Yunerki Ortega, who will be in the final of the 50-meter freestyle, category S11 (totally blind), will also be looking for a podium finish.

The para-swimming competitions of this multi-sport event will take place at the Aquatic Center of the National Stadium Sports Park in Ñuñoa.