Nicaragua, Jamaica ready to compete in Sao Paulo

Nicaragua and Jamaica are hoping to reach the top spot of the podium for the first time ever at a Youth Parapan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, between 20-25 March.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua was represented by only two track and field athletes, Hector Chavez Romero and Carlos Castillo, at the last edition of the Youth Parapan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2013. However, the country still managed to win five medals, made up of three silvers and two bronzes.

They will now send three track and field athletes, Bricheny Lewis, Lener Bordas and Kevin Urbina, who are hoping to outdo Nicaragua’s performance at Buenos Aires 2013 and win the country’s first gold medal.

Nicaragua made their Paralympic debut at Athens 2004 and have not won a medal yet. They did reach the podium on the continental stage with four bronzes at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games. Sprinters Gabriel Cuadra Holmann (twice) and Carlos Castillo and powerlifter Fernando Acevedo all left with medals.

Jamaica

Jamaica will make their debut at the Youth Parapan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Caribbean country has a long tradition competing at the Paralympic Games. Their debut was at Tel Aviv 1968, winning 21 golds, 16 silvers and 18 bronzes overall.

The last Paralympic medal for the country was won by Alphanso Cunningham at London 2012, where he took gold in the men´s javelin F52/53 with a 21.84 throw.

Track and field athletes Cunningham, Shane Hudson and Dana-Gaye Weller were Jamaica´s three representatives at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Jamaica also had a good performance on a regional level, winning two golds, two silvers and one bronze at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

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Over 800 athletes, aged 12-20 years old, from 20 countries are expected to participate in Sao Paulo, with 12 sports being contested: athletics, boccia, football 5, football 7, goalball, judo, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis.

Buenos Aires 2013 attracted more than 600 athletes from 16 countries, who competed across 10 sports. Brazil topped the medal table and 15 countries reached the podium at least once.

Barquisimeto, Venezuela, staged the inaugural edition in 2005, with athletes from 10 countries competing, whilst a total of 14 countries attended the event in Bogota, Colombia, in 2009.

For more information, visit Sao Paulo 2017’s website.