Summary of Quebec performances at the Pan American Games in Santiago.
Athletics
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot wanted to set the tone for the Canadian team in the athletics events on Tuesday. The first member of the delegation to reach a track final, he hoped to reach the podium in the 5000m.
The Quebecer followed his game plan to the letter and positioned himself among the first three riders in the peloton from the start and until the end.
It was in the last round that the finalists accelerated. Philibert-Thiboutot was the third to cross the finish line. He posted a time of 14 min 48.02 sec and finished 33 hundredths of a second from victory.
“I was in a good position to go for gold in the last round and that was my goal. I missed a little in the last 100 meters, but I’m happy with my effort. I think the execution was good,” commented Charles Philibert-Thiboutot in the mixed zone.
Just in front of him, the Mexican Fernando Daniel Martinez beat the American Kasey Knevelbaard by very little, a hundredth of a second. Martinez, however, was disqualified for sticking his arm out. He requested a protest, but the judges’ decision remained the same.
The Canadian representative therefore inherited a silver medal, while the title went to Knevelbaard. The Brazilian Altobeli Silva (+49 seconds) took his place on the third step of the podium.
“It’s nice to have the silver medal, except that personally, I think the Mexican ran very well. I don’t see the point in his disqualification,” shared the Rio Games Olympian.
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot will be back on the track at the National Stadium on Thursday for his favorite event, the 1500m.
Artistic swimming
The Canadian pair of Audrey Lamothe and Olena Verbinska placed fifth in the technical duel. Canadian swimmers scored 197.6000 to finish 52.6333 behind first place held by Mexicans Nuria Diosdado and Joana Jimenez (250.2333).
“It’s a good first performance. It’s huge to represent Canada at the Pan American Games! We wanted to concentrate so as not to put too much pressure on our shoulders. Being a young duo, we wanted to climb the steps slowly towards better performances. »
The conclusion of the duel competition will be presented on Thursday when the free program will be in the spotlight.
In the evening, Audrey Lamothe was back at the pool with her teammates for the technical team program.
The Canadians took third place with a score of 233.2679. The Mexicans finished first with their 267.5942, followed by the Americans with their score of 253.8008.
They will have a day off on Wednesday and return to action on Thursday for the free skate.
Fencing
Pamela Brind’Amour’s journey in the individual saber draw ended in the quarter-final round on Tuesday. The Quebecer came up against the American Magda Skarbonkiewicz, ninth in the world and future gold medalist, 15-6. She therefore finished in fifth place, just like her compatriot Tamar Gordon.
In the previous round, the fencer from Sainte-Martine had the upper hand 15-12 against Argentina.
Earlier Tuesday, in the group round, the Quebecois and 31e in the world rankings had returned a 3-2 record.
Table tennis
Edward Ly lost in the round of 16 of the singles table against the Brazilian and fourth racket in the world, Hugo Calderano 4-1 (11-6, 11-2, 12-10, 11-8 and 11-8). The Montrealer, 239e in the world, thus concludes his tournament in ninth place.
The Games are not over for him, as he will be in the men’s team competition which begins on Thursday.
Squash
The order was big for squash player David Baillargeon at the Pan American Games singles tournament.
In the morning, he started his singles course in good style, as he scored a 3-1 victory (7-11, 11-9, 11-9 and 11-9) against the Argentinian Jeremias Azana .
“It was frustrating in the first set, I had some problems during my warm-up and I didn’t feel great. I then managed to control the pace of the game and slow it down. I was less limited, less hurried in my movements. I adapted well to my opponent,” commented Baillargeon in the mixed zone after this first meeting.
Their quarter-final duel promised to be more difficult. “A different kettle of fish,” as he put it.
He faced Peruvian Diego Elias, world number 2, and lost in four rounds in the evening. The Lévis athlete won the first set 11-6 before seeing his opponent escape with the next three sets at 11-3, 11-4 and 11-5.
Baillargeon will return to action on Thursday, in doubles, alongside Graeme Dobson Schnell.
Water polo
The women’s water polo team easily beat Cuba 24-3 in its second match of the tournament. Axelle Crevier, Elyse Lemay-Lavoie and Emma Wright all scored 4 goals in this Canadian offensive festival. Serena Browne, Veriva Bakoc, Kindred Ayre Paul were not left out either with 3 nets each.
“The match was played very early, but we were awake in the first quarter. It went well, but we still have things to work on. We had good intensity from start to finish,” Crevier told Water Polo Canada.
Daphné Guèvremont (2 goals), Floranne Carroll and goalkeeper Clara Vulpisi were the other Quebecers in the pool. The Quebec goalkeeper played a few minutes replacing Ontarian Jessica Gaudreault.
The Canadians remain undefeated in two matches, having defeated the Argentines 14-9 on Monday. Their next opponents will be the Mexicans on Wednesday.
In the afternoon, the same two countries faced each other, but this time in the men’s draw. The representatives of the maple leaf had the upper hand again, this time by a score of 29-7.
This is their second victory in as many matches in Santiago after the one signed the day before, against Chile.
“It’s a good part of preparation for the matches that are coming. We didn’t start the match very well, but we recovered well! » shared Leo Hachem after the meeting.
On Wednesday, Canada will face Argentina to conclude the preliminary phase. At the most recent World Championships, which took place in July, the Canadians placed 12e rank, closely followed by the Argentinians, 13are.
“We prepared well for this match. It’s a good team, but I think we have all the tools we need to win! » concluded Hashem.