Gold for William Arroyo in the poomsae of the Pan American Games Santiago 2023

Santiago, Chile 21-10-2023.- Mexico's three-time world champion William Arroyo showed why he is one of the best athletes in the Americas by winning the men's individual poomsae competition at the Pan American Games being held in Santiago de Chile, in what was the start of taekwondo on October 21.

Arroyo, ranked eighth in the world, gave Mexico its first Pan American gold.

He began his journey from the quarterfinals with a straightforward victory over Cuba's Dario Navarro 7.730 out of 7.470 according to the referee's rating.

Later, in the semifinals, he beat 7.850 over 7.770 against the Bolivarian champion and South American medalist, Peru's Hugo del Castillo, who had already won silver at Lima 2019 and now won bronze.

His opponent in the final was none other than the world number two, Elian Ortega (Nicaragua), against whom he won a narrow victory in a close battle of precision, strength, technique and martial arts, which resulted in the final score: 7.990 over 7.880.

Taekwondo individual men's poomsae:

.1. Oro: William Arroyo (MEX)

.2. Plata: Elian Ortega (NCA)

.3. Bronce: Luis Gabriel Colón (PUR)

.3. Bronce: Hugo del Castillo (PER)

- Taekwondo poomsae individual female:

.1. Oro: Kaitlyn Reclusado (USA)

.2. Plata: María Alejandra Higueros (EAI)

.3. Bronce: Cecilia Lee (MEX)

.3. Bronce: Arelis Medina (PUR).