Argentina adds 29 medals after the first days of action of the Pan American Junior Games of Asunción 2025, which are currently taking place in Paraguay and will continue until August 23. The Argentine team, composed of 338 athletes (172 men and 166 women), aims to improve upon their sixth-place finish in the inaugural edition held in Cali-Valle in 2021. In that event, Argentina amassed 73 medals, including 19 gold, 22 silver, and 32 bronze.
As competition heats up, Argentina has faced a slight dip in overall standings, moving from fifth to sixth place in the medal tally. The nation currently boasts three gold, 15 silver, and 11 bronze medals (for a total of 29). The table is led by Brazil with 76 medals (37 golden), followed closely by the United States, which has overtaken both Chile and Colombia. Mexico is just ahead of Argentina with seven gold medals.
The beginning for Argentina in Asunción was marked by the impressive performance in cycling, where the nation secured its first medals. Julia Benedetti Venturella clinched a silver medal in the Women’s Individual Road Race, while Delfina Dibella Latorre added a bronze in the same event. The medal haul continued with Lucía Miralles and Nicolás Reynoso, who both secured silver medals in the Mountain Bike Cross-Country, in their respective categories. Manuel Turone further contributed to the tally with a silver in BMX Freestyle, solidifying cycling as a key area of success.
The aquatics division soon followed suit, with swimming bringing home the three golden medals acquired by the delegation thus far. The first came from Agostina Hein in the 400m freestyle for women. This young swimming star also participated in the 4x100m women’s relay alongside Cecilia Dieleke, Magdalena Portela Walter, Martina Urgelles, Catalina Acacio, Lucía Gauna, and Malena Santillán, who ultimately won bronze. Hein also earned a silver in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay, showcasing her versatility and skill alongside Magdalena Portela, Lucía Gauna, Matías Chaillou, Matías Santiso, and Ulises Saravia Peláez.
A particularly remarkable achievement was realized by Malena Santillán, who not only won gold in the 200m backstroke but also shattered the South American record with a time of 2:10.36—surpassing the previous record set by Fernanda de Goeij at 2:11.95. Another standout, Cecilia Dieleke, a mere 15-year-old, claimed bronze in the same event and also secured a silver in the 100m backstroke, further enhancing Argentina’s swimming team’s strong performance.
On the men’s side, Ulises Saravia clinched gold in the 100m backstroke, setting a new Pan American Junior record with a swift time of 53.89 and securing his spot in the 2027 Pan American Games. Saravia, who recently competed in the World Swimming Championships in Singapore, is set to continue his promising career at the University of Tennessee in the US. Additionally, he achieved silver in the mixed relay alongside Dante Nichola, Hein, and Gauna, while Ulises Cazau earned silver in the 100m butterfly and Matías Santiso took home bronze in the 200m freestyle.
Moreover, Argentina’s archery team contributed impressively with Agustín Annese, Fernando Álvarez, Marcos Rojas, and Martín Mansilla collecting medals in the four-man team event. Santino Menini earned a spot on the podium as well with his performance in the pairs rowing category. In fencing, Catalina Borrelli captured silver in the women’s individual saber, proudly widening Argentina’s spectrum of medal-winning disciplines.
Joaquín Cisneros also made his mark, winning silver in the men’s trap shooting event. Meanwhile, the cycling team, which included Santiago Gruñeiro, Mateo Duque, Agustín Ferrari, and Ramiro Videla, earned silver in the team pursuit. The women’s cycling team, comprising Guadalupe Díaz, Valentina Méndez, and Valentina Luna, also shined with a silver medal in team sprint.
In squash, Segundo Portabales impressed with silver in the men’s individual category. Not to be overlooked, Josefina Mella won bronze in 10m air pistol shooting while Alem Yuma secured gold in judo (-81 kg for men). Skateboarding also contributed to the medal tally, with Morena Domínguez standing triumphantly on the podium in women’s street category.
This dynamic tournament showcases the burgeoning talent in Argentina’s sports arena, as evidenced by significant achievements including:
- Agostina Hein – Swimming, 400m freestyle (Junior Pan American Record)
- Malena Santillán – Swimming, 200m backstroke (Junior South American Record)
- Ulises Saravia – Swimming, 100m backstroke (Junior Pan American Record)
As the tournament unfolds, the fervor in Argentina continues to rise, showcasing an encouraging trend of emerging athletes ready to make their mark on the international stage. The focus now shifts to the remaining events, where more talents will undoubtedly shine. This evolving narrative illustrates not only the ambition of Argentine athletes but also the nation’s commitment to cultivating sporting excellence.