The 9th issue of the South American Games has just started in Medellín, Colombia. Archery is one of the sports scheduled for the first days of competition. The new venue built for the Games has accomodated the 77 archers from 8 countries participating.
Some of the most outstanding archers are 2009 World Championships Bronze Medallist Natalia SANCHEZ (COL); Roberval DOS SANTOS (BRA), World Cup stage winner, and Luzmary GUEDEZ from Venezuela, who won the World Cup Final in Copenhagen in 2009.
Luzmary GUEDEZ (VEN) and Roberval DOS SANTOS (BRA) finished at the top of the FITA Round in the Compound Categories at the South American Games taking place in beautiful Medellin.
Luzmary (1372) faced strong competition from teammate Olga BOSCH (1370) and Colombia's Natalia LONDONO (1368), who was cheerfully supported by the joyful local public in the stands. DOS SANTOS (1368) needed a perfect score at 30 metres to overtake Venezuela's Nelson TORRES (1363).
The recurve competition was very close on the women's side. Two Colombians led all the way from the 60 metres. Only one point separated young Sigrid ROMERO (1298) and Natalia SANCHEZ (1297), who were closely followed by Venezuelan Olympian Leidys BRITO (1290).
Most Games records have been broken in the archery competition, in which medals are also awarded in individual distances. After the FITA round Venezuela (7-6-6), Brazil (7-4-3) and Colombia (5-9-8) lead the medal count.
You will find the results of the IX Juegos Suramericanos Medellín 2010 Organizacion Deportiva Suramericana here:
www.ianseo.net/Details.php?toId=56 and a photo gallery on
www.ianseo.net. Please visit also the organisers' website:
www.medellin2010.org.
Sergio FONT
2010-03-23
