Lima 2019: Vote for Best Male Athlete

Multiple gold medal-winners and surprising champions shortlisted 04 Oct 2019

Ten photos of the ten nominees for Best Male Athlete at Lima 2019

Diez grandes campeones nominados como Mejor Atleta Hombre de Lima 2019

ⒸLima 2019

By APC

The Americas Paralympic Committee (IPC) has revealed the shortlist for the Best Male Athlete of August based on performances at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, and the public can now vote for the winner on the website until Friday (11 October).

In lieu of the Americas Athlete of the Month award for August, the honour is being separated into three different categories – Best Female Athlete, Best Male Athlete and Best Team – based on results at Lima 2019.

Colombian 12-year-old swimmer Sara Vargas was named Best Female Athlete after winning four golds and one silver at the Parapan.

Gustavo Fernández, Argentina, wheelchair tennis

World No. 1 did not disappoint and won gold both in the singles and doubles, hammering his rivals.

a male wheelchair tennis player plays a forehand

Carson Sanocki, USA, swimming

At 20 years old, enjoyed successful Games in Lima by winning two golds, one silver and one bronze.

US swimmer Carson Sanocki on the podium with his hand on his chest and the gold medal hanging around his neck

Alberto Abarza, Chile, swimming

Had a performance to remember in the pool with three golds and two silvers to finish as his country’s most decorated athlete.

Chilean swimmer Alberto Abarza on the podium smiling and holding his gold medal

Akeem Stewart, Trinidad & Tobago, athletics

Won the discus F64 with a 63.70 world record throw; he also added silver in the javelin to his tally.

a male Para athlete throws a discus

Javier Serna-Marlon Pérez, Colombia, cycling

Secured four titles on Peruvian soil, two on the road and two on the track.

a male vision impaired cyclist and his guide ride a tandem across the finish line and celebrate

Herbert Aceituno, El Salvador, powerlifting

Claimed his country’s first Parapan American gold in 20 years by topping the podium in the up to 65kg.

a male powerlifter with his hand over his heart singing the national anthem

Henry Borges, Uruguay, judo

Defended the men’s up to 60kg title he had won at Toronto 2015 and gave Uruguay the only gold in Lima.

a male judoka stands on the podium with his gold medal

Raúl Anguiano, Guatemala, badminton

Became a celebrity in his country overnight by winning Guatemala’s first Parapan title ever in singles SL4.

a male Para badminton player raises his fist and racquet into the air in celebration

Eduardo Ávila Sánchez, Mexico, judo

Rose to the challenge by taking the men’s up to 81kg gold.

two male judokas fighting on the mate

Rosbil Guillén, Peru, athletics

Won a redemptive gold in the men’s 1,500m T11 following his disqualification after finishing first in the 5,000m final.

a male vision impaired runner and his guide sprinting to the finish line

The nominations were compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from across the continent.

The 2019 Americas Athlete of the Month winners are:

• January – Johanna Sossa and Johana Martinez, Colombia, wheelchair tennis

• February – Rebeca Valenzuela Alvarez, Mexico, athletics

• March – Matias Pino, Chile, table tennis

• April – Daniel Martins, Brazil, athletics

• May – Sherman Guity, Costa Rica, athletics

• June – Luis Flores, Chile, table tennis

• July – Juan Carlos Garrido, Chile, powerlifting

• August (Lima 2019 Best Female Athlete) – Sara Vargas, Colombia, swimming