The 2007 Pan American Games looked no difference from the previous ones.
As expected, the United States has already secured top spot at the medal table with 235 medals, including 97 golds, with just one day to go before the Pan American Games close Sunday in the southeast city of Brazil.
Backed by strong showing in athletics and boxing, Cuba also virtually held its second place despite a fierce challenge from host Brazil. Cuba now has 59 golds to Brazil's 51, but Cuba's total is 21 less than Brazil.
On a rainy and cold day, Cuba's Yeimer Lopez edged out
Brazilian duo Fabiano Pecanha and Kleberson Davide to win the men's 800 meters. Lopez clocked one minute, 44.58 seconds, eclipsing the Pan Am record of 1:45.05, set by Canada's Tadili Achraf at the 2003 games in Santo Domingo.
Davide finished second (1:45.47) and Pecanha third (1:45.54).
Cuba's Dayron Robles won the men's 110m hurdles in 13.25 seconds, beating David Payne of the United States and Cuba's Yoel Hernandez.
The United States finished 1-2 in the discus throw, with Michael Robertson taking gold with a throw of 59.24 meters. Adam Kuehl won silver with 57.50 meters, overtook third-placed Dariusz Slowik of Canada by 0.13 meters.
Americans also finished 1-2 in the men's 3,000m steeplechase, with Josh McAdams transcending Michael Spence on the back stretch to take gold in 8:30.49. Spence stumbled on the final hurdle to finish second in 8:32.11, and Cuba's Jose Alberto Sanchez was third.
To the delight of thousands of home fans, Sabine Heitling staged a late rally on the last lap to win the women's 3,000m steeplechase.
Brazil also took gold in the men's pole vault, with Fabio Silva clearing 5.4 meters. Mexico's Giovanni Leonardo won silver with a jump of 5.3, and German Chiaraviglio was bronze with 5.2.
Xavier Moreno of Ecuador came home first in the men's 50-kilometer walk in 3:52:07.
American Chris Estrada took gold in men's trampoline with a score of 38.80, while teammate Ryan Weston won bronze. Canada's Karen Cockburn won gold the women's event with a 37.50 score.
The United States picked up two gold medals in sailing. In Laser, Andrew Campbell of San Diego came home first. And in women's Laser Radial, Paige Railey was the winner.
Manuel Cortina led another medal parade on the water for Mexico's canoe and kayak team on the penultimate day of the Pam Ams. Cortina won the men's K-1 500 before he combined with Jesus Valdez to win the K-2 men's 500. Jose Cristobal Quirino added a third gold for Mexico in the C-1 500.
Cubans Karel Aguilar and Serguey Tores won the C-2 men's 500.
Canada kayaker Jill D'Alessio won the women's K-1 500-meter race, and her countrywomen, Kia Byers and Marie-Christine Schmidt, were first in the women's K-2 500.
In table tennis, Lin Ju of the Dominican Republic outclassed Liu Song in a seven-game thriller to win the men's singles gold.
Christina Jones and Andrea Nott won their second synchronized swimming gold medal, helping the US team to book a berth in the Beijing Olympics. Earlier in the games, they won the duet for another Beijing spot.
The American men won the archery team competition by beating Canada 218-210. Colombia won the women's gold, with Canada second.
Brazil captured the futsal (indoor soccer) gold with a 4-1 rout of Argentina in the final. The United States won its consolation match in a penalty kick shootout against Cuba 5-4 after a 2-2 tie in regulation.
Puerto Rico and Brazil headed into the men's basketball final. The Puerto Ricans beat Argentina 89-80, while Brazil defeated Uruguay 85-73.
Once again, the softball competition was plagued by rain, with the gold medal match between the undefeated United States and Venezuela being cancelled. The US was awarded the gold afterwards, while Venezuela settled with silver.
In the last event of the day, Brazil crushed the United States in straight sets to win the men's volleyball gold medal.
Source: Xinhua
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