Rebeca Andrade won the gold medal in diving at the Pan in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this Sunday (21). The Brazilian gymnast achieved an average of 14,266 points, marking her triumphant return to the gym after a two-year break dedicated to taking care of her body and mind.
To secure first position, Rebeca needed the highest average between the two attempts. His first jump was rated 14.433, the highest of the entire competition, demonstrating a practically perfect performance.
Although the second jump received 13,700 points due to a slightly misaligned start at the finish, the final average of 14,266 was enough to guarantee the highest place on the podium. This is Brazil’s first gold medal in women’s diving at a Pan American Games.
Women’s vault podium
A was achieved by Canadian Lia Monica, who obtained an average of 14.249. Completing the podium, American Claire Pease took bronze, recording 13,916 points in her presentations.
In the qualifiers for the Rio Pan, Rebeca Andrade had already stood out, presenting the best individual result among all devices. She only competed in diving, a discipline in which she has two Olympic medals: gold in Tokyo 2020 and silver in Paris 2024.
after a period of absence that followed the Paris Olympics in 2024. On that occasion, he won one gold, two silvers and one bronze for Brazil.
Other Brazilian highlights
In addition to Rebeca, gymnast Vitaliy Guimarães also reached the podium at the Rio Pan. He competed in the men’s floor finals, the first event with Brazilian participation this Sunday, and moved the audience present.
Vitaliy Guimarães ended his presentation with great applause and secured the bronze medal with a score of 13.700. Gold in the men’s solo category went to Guatemalan Jorge Vega, who scored 14,166, followed by Colombian Angel Barajas, silver with 13,900.
Born in the United States, Vitaliy decided to represent Brazil from 2024. This achievement marks the gymnast’s first medal for the Brazilian team in an international competition.
“It was an inexplicable emotion. The fans, the energy inside the arena. Without them I don’t think it would be like this. The fans gave me a lot of energy and more confidence to represent Brazil”, declared Vitaliy Guimarães, moved by the public’s support.
