Santiago 2023 - Rebeca Andrade captures gold on vault at the Pan American Games
The Brazilian star is now the reigning Olympic, World and Pan Am champ on the apparatus
Artistic Gymnastics
The queen of vault didn't disappoint.
Brazilian artistic gymnastics superstar Rebeca Andrade soared to her first career gold medal at the Pan American Games Tuesday (24 October 2023) in Santiago, Chile.
The win makes her the reigning Olympic, world and Pan Am champion on the event, cementing a legacy of domination on the apparatus. It's the first gold in women's gymnastics since the Rio 2007 edition for Brazil.
"Vault was pretty good," Andrade said afterward. "I'm happy and proud of everything I presented today"
Andrade averaged a massive 14.983, powered by a near perfect opening vault that received a 9.733 execution score from the judges. American Jordan Chiles claimed silver at 14.150, followed by Mexico's Natalia Escalera (13.333).
"Looking at the video, I think I piked it a bit, maybe if I don't pike it.... it's hard for them to give me a 10, but it's not impossible!" said Andrade of her Cheng vault.
On the uneven bars, Andrade took silver while American Zoe Miller secured gold, 14.666 to 14.333. Flavia Saraiva was third with a 13.733.
"I feel amazing. It's all I've ever wanted especially with Andrade being here. It was one of my behind the bat goals, just trying to beat her in a friendly, competitive way but just doing what I know I can do," Miller told Olympics.com afterward.
The 17-year-old came into Tuesday's final as the top qualifier and felt the pressure to deliver.
"I was really nervous, but I was just trying to calm down and tell myself that I'll have to do is hit no matter what it - to an extent - no matter what it looks like," said Miller, "Just hit, stay calm. Do what I know."
Dolci, Clay, Whittenburg claim men's titles
Just over 24 hours after becoming the first Canadian man in 60 years to claim Pan Am all-around gold, Felxi Dolci added more hardware, claiming the men's floor exercise title in Tuesday's opening final.
He mounted with a clean front double pike before dismount with a triple full to score 14.233. Brazil's Arthur Mariano earned a 13.933 for silver, followed by Colombia's Juan Larrahondo (13.366).
Dolci's teammate Zachary Clay continued what has been a historic season and historic Pan Ams for the Canadian men by claiming the gold medal on the pommel horse - a first for the nation. Canada last won a medal on the apparatus at the 1995 Pan Am Games.
Clay's score was 14.400, just ahead of compatriot Jayson Rampersad's 14.333, which earned silver. Puerto Rico's Nelson Alberto Guilbe Morales was the bronze medallist after earning a 14.133.
"It feels absolutely amazing. You know, getting the gold medal is amazing. But being on that podium with a fellow Canadian was just the icing on top, you know?" said Clay afterward.
In the last final of the session, American Donnell Whittenburg competed last, earning a 14.200 to take the still rings title ahead of Argentina's Daniel Villafane (14.133). Dolci added his fourth medal of the Pan Ams, taking bronze with a 13.800.
"Feels good," said Whittenburg. "I just went out there and just did a normal set, nothing super special, just do my job."
For Dolci, the growing medal haul is the payoff a long time coming.
"We've been saying it for quite a while now, but I think the action just proves it even more," he told Olympics.com. "This team has been working a lot in the gym, has been working really precisely for precise goals and really specific ambitions. It goes to show that we have a good team. We have a good system around us, and we're looking really, really good. So the future is bright.