Lima 2019: Tejeda wins Peru's first gold at Pan American Games

Photo: IPD

11:50 | Lima, Jul. 27.

Peru's Gladys Tejeda won the first gold medal for her country at Lima 2019 Pan American Games by finishing first and breaking a Pan American record (2:30:55) in the women's marathon on Saturday morning.

Leading from halfway, Tejeda set a Pan American Games record as she crossed the finish line in front of hundreds of cheering fans at Kennedy Park in Miraflores district.

The previous record of 2:35:40 had been set at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games by Brazil's Adriana Aparecida da Silva.

The silver medal went to U.S. Bethany Sachtleben, with bronze being collected by Colombia's Angie Orjuela.

In a successful start to the Games for hosts Peru, Tejeda went one better than her teammate Hugo Del Castillo, who had collected the silver medal in Taekwondo Poomsae —the first medal event of the Games— earlier on Saturday.

"This is everything I have dreamed of for four years. This is so exciting for me because it is the first time I have won in front of all the Peruvian people," she said after the victory.

"There were so many people supporting me today, and they were so loud. They are the main reason I was able to win," she added.

She was congratulated by President Martin Vizcarra on the occasion.

As is known, the Lima 2019 Pan American Games were officially inaugurated last Friday in the Peruvian capital city. The event will run thru August 11.

What a comeback! Gladys Tejeda wins the Pan American Gold in women’s marathon and sets a new Pan American record: 2:30:55. Thank you Gladys for making us proud and giving it your all! #LetsAllPlay together! ?? pic.twitter.com/YMyDd91eTy
— Lima 2019 #LetsAllPlay ?? (@Lima2019Games) 27 de julio de 2019

(END) NDP/ISG/MVB

Published: 7/27/2019

Video más visto

APP STORE

GOOGLE PLAY

Lima 2019: Tejeda wins Peru's first gold at Pan American Games

Most read