Coming off a climactic first night, the 2019 Pan American Games entered its second day of competition with excess momentum. Staged in Lima, Peru, the multi-sport competition is the largest athletic event ever hosted by the country, attracting nearly 9,500 athletes and officials in addition to spectators. With swimming being one of the most popular of the 39 sports, the atmosphere is nothing short of electric. Far from an aftershock of the World Championships, the Pan Am Games boast some of the top names in the sport, as the Americas prepare to take their talents overseas in the coming year.
U.S. butterfly stalwart Kendyl Stewart forced her name on the scene with a massive swim, as she sprinted to a 58.49 to seize the States’ 16th straight gold medal in the 100 fly. Followed closely by North American compatriot Danielle Hanus (58.93), Stewart was forced to bring it home in the last 50 after splitting an identical first lap to her morning swim. Sarah Gibson did her part to bring home another pair of medals for the States, as she cinched the bronze with a time of 59.11.
Brazil’s Giovanna Diamante (59.31) edged out Canada’s Haley Black (59.32) by the smallest margin in the sport, managing to get her hand on the wall 0.01 faster than her closest competitor. Her teammate, Daynara de Paula, sandwiched the Canadian at fifth with a time of 1:00.41, enough to take down Venezuela’s Jeserik Pinto (1:00.64). Valentina Becerra put Colombia on the board for Day Two with her impressive 1:01.10 to round out the heat.
