Jamaica’s athlete Aaron Johnson contributed to the country’s medal count at the ongoing 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, by winning a bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 126kg wrestling division.
Johnson secured his bronze by defeating Elison Adames of the Dominican Republic with a score of 5-1.
Earlier in the competition, Johnson had a quarter-final match that ended in a 0-0 result against Diego Almendras, followed by a semi-final loss to American wrestler Mason Parris with a score of 0-10. Mason Parris eventually claimed the gold medal in the event.
Johnson’s bronze medal adds to Jamaica’s growing medal tally at the Pan American Games. Cyclist Dahlia Palmer had previously won a bronze medal in the keirin competition. Samantha Hall and Fedrick Dacres also secured bronze medals in their respective discus competitions. Jamaica’s current total of four medals is a commendable achievement, although it falls short of the record 19 medals won at the last edition of the Pan American Games.
In other events at the Pan Am Games, Jamaican athlete Jaheel Hyde won heat one of the men’s 400m hurdles semi-finals with the fastest time, advancing to the final. The women’s 400m hurdles semi-finals featured competitors from various countries who also progressed to the final. Additionally, athletes from the Caribbean excelled in the women’s 200m semi-finals, securing places in the final.
While Jamaica made progress in multiple events, the women’s football team faced another loss in the 7-8 classification, succumbing to a 1-2 defeat against Bolivia.
