The Paraguayan delegation has concluded its participation in the Pan-American Adult Athletics Championship with a remarkable achievement in Medellín, Colombia. Javelin thrower Lars Anthony Flaming secured the gold medal with an impressive throw of 82.10 metres. This victory of the Pan-Am hero was particularly significant as the competition took place at an altitude of 1,495 metres above sea level, presenting challenges for the athletes.
Flaming’s outstanding performance not only earned him the top spot on the podium, but also guaranteed his direct qualification for the Lima 2027 Pan-American Games. Thar event is a crucial stepping stone within the Olympic cycle, serving as a preliminary competition for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Consequently, this early qualification provides an advantage for Flaming’s long-term preparation and planning.
Pan-Am hero: “Thank God it happened”
“Excellent, at last a Personal Best,” responded Flaming in Colimbia. “And I really loved doing it here on the Medellín track because it is right here where I represented Paraguay for the first time exactly ten years ago. Back then I came last in the South American School Games, and now I came out as Pan-American champion.”
“This is the best, with a PB. I could not have asked for anything else. Thank God it happened. So we keep going, the best is yet to come. Incredible.”
Details of the javelin competition
In the final, Flaming’s throw surpassed that of his nearest competitor, Marc Anthony Minichello of the United States. Minichello claimed the silver medal with a best attempt of 81.36 metres. Flaming’s winning throw came as a highlight of the championship’s closing stages, showcasing his peak form; recently, the Paraguayan athlete lit up Europe with back-to-back javelin golds.
The podium for the men’s javelin was completed by Pedro Henrique Nunes from Brazil, who took home the bronze medal. Nunes registered a best throw of 78.96 metres.
Record context and women’s event
To put Flaming’s victory into a wider context, his throw of 82.10 metres is a formidable distance. However, it is still 5.21 metres short of the current continental record. That record has been held by the Grenadian athlete Anderson Peters since 2019. Flaming’s result nonetheless positions the Pan-Am hero as a major force in the sport leading up to future international competitions.
In the women’s javelin event, the victory went to a local athlete. Valentina Barrios of Colombia delighted the home crowd by winning the gold medal with a throw of 60.72 metres.
Further Paraguayan success on the track
The Paraguayan team’s success was not limited to the field events. In a separate discipline, fellow countryman Camden Gilmore also achieved a podium finish. Gilmore competed in the 1500 metres, where he earned a bronze medal for Paraguay.
Gilmore secured his medal with a time of 3:46.23. His performance on the track complemented Flaming’s victory in the field, ensuring that the Paraguayan team left Medellín with multiple medals. Competing in middle-distance events at high altitude requires exceptional endurance, making Gilmore’s achievement particularly noteworthy.
