Table tennis player Hugo Hoyama on Tuesday became the most prolific Brazilian for gold medals in the history of the Pan American Games.
"To win in my country and also to break a record is sensational. This is my most significant medal," said the player, after getting his ninth gold in five editions of the Games (1987, 1991, 1995, 2003 and 2007).
He overcame the record established by retired swimmer Gustavo Borges, who won eight golds in four editions of event. Borges, who was at the arena where the final games took place in Rio, said he had no trouble supporting Hoyama in his "brilliant" achievement, although his record was broken.
In the men's team finals against Argentina, Hoyama was defeated 3-0 by Liu Song, a naturalized Argentine from China. With his teammate Thiago Monteiro's 3-2 victory over Gaston Alto, and a 3-1 win in the doubles confrontation, Brazil got a 2-1 lead in the total score. Then, Hoyama beat Pablo Tabachnik 3-1, guaranteeing the highest place on the podium.
According to Hoyama, if it were not for the public's support, he would not have won the last game.
The table tennis team's medal also meant the breaking of a record to Brazil. It was the 30th gold won in the same edition of the Pan Am Games, outnumbering the delegation's overall performance in Santo Domingo in 2003, the previous record.
Source: Xinhua
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