Team USA Secures 12 Medals at 2021 Junior Pan American Games
by USA Boxing
Team USA clinched six more victories today during the third day of boxing at the 2021 Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia, to secure a total of 12 medals in the inaugural event.
Steven Navarro (Los Angeles, Calif.) was the first American to advance to the finals following another strong performance to take the unanimous decision victory over Martin Astorga of Argentina. Navarro will now compete for gold on Wednesday against Marin Hernandez of Cuba.
The remaining five boxers competing today advanced to their weight classes semifinal bout, guaranteeing them at least a bronze.
Joel Iriarte (Bakersfield, Calif.) made his tournament debut in dominating fashion against Jean Emiliano Reyes of Uruguay to set up a matchup with Brazil’s Hebert Soares, while Donte Layne (Elmont, N.Y.) pulled out the 3-2 decision over Brazil’s Felipe De Oliveira to advance to tomorrow’s bout with Khristhihan Arias of Cuba.
Heavyweight Ali Almajdi (Arlington, Texas) closed out the first session of the day with his first career stoppage against Paraguay’s Leonel Leonardo Delgado to clinch his first international medal and a spot in the semifinals for a rematch with Cuba’s Rony Alvarez Noa.
Team USA’s two female boxers, Kayla Gomez (El Paso, Texas) and Jewry Rodriguez (Houston, Texas), earned come from behind victories over Mara Fabian of Argentina and Maria Jose Martinez of Colombia, respectively. Gomez will go head-to-head with Flor Valentina Rodriguez of Colombia, while Rodriguez will take to the ring with Argentina’s Sol Ayelen Medina.
Julius Ballo (San Diego, Calif.), Ali Feliz (Danbury, Conn.), Santiago Franco (Portland, Ore.), Jesikah Guerra (Victorville, Calif.), Faith Mendez (Ocala, Fla.) and Quincey Williams (Washington, D.C.) will join their teammates during tomorrow’s semifinal bouts. All the action can be followed along by clicking here.
This marks the first Junior Pan American Games, which has brought over 100 boxers from the Americas looking to make history.
Day 3 Results
51 kg: Kayla Gomez, El Paso, Texas/USA, dec. over Mara Fabian/ARG, 4-1
52 kg: Steven Navarro, Los Angeles, Calif./USA, dec. over Martin Astorga/ARG, 5-0
57 kg: Jewry Rodriguez, Houston, Texas/USA, dec. over Maria Jose Martinez/COL, 5-0
63 kg: Joel Iriarte, Bakersfield, Calif./USA, dec. over Jean Emiliano Reyes/URU, 5-0
75 kg: Donte Layne, Elmont, N.Y./USA, dec. over Felipe De Oliveira/BRA, 3-2
91 kg: Ali Almajdi, Arlington, Texas/USA, won by RSC over Leonel Leonardo Delgado/PAR, RSC2