07 Dec 2011
Mexico Shines at Central American and Caribbean Games
The scenic Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador
Mexico topped the medal table with ten gold medals at the end of the three-day Central American and Caribbean Games hosted by El Salvador which came to a close December 2.
163 rowers from six countries participated in eighteen events for the 19th edition of Games held on the scenic Lake Coatepeque just a few kilometres from the capital city of San Salvador.
The absence of the strong Cuban crews left the field wide open in the battle for gold and the Mexican rowers showed their dominance by reaping ten golds, seven silvers and one bronze medal. Guatemala placed second with six gold medals and five silver. Whilst host nation El Salvador earned a respectable third place with one gold, five silvers, and 11 bronze medals.
The six women’s events were dominated by Mexico with the exception of the single that went to Venezuelan Yuleima Charris and the lightweight single that went to 15-year-old Salvadorian Aida Turcios just edging veteran Lulu Montoya of Mexico.
The 12 men’s events were heavily disputed although Mexico dominated most of the sculling events with the exception of the lightweight double and the open single. Edgar Nanne jr. of Guatemala took the men’s single twenty years after his father Edgar sr. won the same race in 1982.
The next Central American and Caribbean Games will take place in 2006 in Cartegena de Indias, Colombia. Twelve countries are expected to attend.