LIMA, PERU — When you look up “American heroes” in the encyclopedia (kids, ask your parents what that is) There will be an entry as of today. That name will be Miles Krajewski. The 14-year-old dominated Canada in badminton, which makes him the coolest person on the planet, sorry Samuel L. Jackson. He made Wyatt Lightfoot from Canada hurt, beating him not once but twice: in the morning 2-0 and in the afternoon session 2-1.
It wasn’t all bad for Canada today, the United States of America was upset in Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Finals this evening in San Luis. Final score 67-64.
“So much of the girls know that it’s a process. Our goal to do here was to qualify for Tokyo and now we are going to keep that process going,” commented Rebecca Murray of Team USA.
Murray led the U.S. with 22 point, four rebounds and one assist. However, the leading scorer was Canada’s Kathleen Dandeneau, with a triple doubles: 25 points, 10 boards and 10 assists. No bigger shot from her was made than the 3-pointer she made to end the United States’ dreams of a gold medal she recalled,
“Honestly, I just saw them drop off of me, this is my shot, I love threes . I pulled it and it was REALLY nice.”
No matter what happens, Team USA is not going away silently as they will see Canada in Tokyo 2020, one year from now.
In Para cycling, it was time for not Jack, but Jill to hit the road… and Jill Walsh did just that, winning gold in the Mixed Time Trial T1-2 Finals. She was joined on the podium by teammate Matthew Rodrieguez who won the silver medal. Also medaling in Para cycling was Team USA’s Brandon Lyons. He received a silver for his work in Mixed Time Trial H1-5 Finals, and a pair of U.S. teammates will be taking home medals in the Women’s Time Trial C1-5 Finals: Clara Brown getting gold and bronze was obtained by Samantha Bosco.
In goalball women’s semis action, the United States gave last rights to the Mexican team killing their dreams of a gold medal. The U.S. however, will meet tomorrow for the finals match against Brazil at 4:30 PM (Central Time).
At the pool, Haven Smith started things off for Team USA this morning adding a silver medal to her collection of shiny objects. She captured the prize by participating in the Women’s 50m Freestyle S8 Final.
Then, in the afternoon, the Women’s 200m Freestyle S5 (S3-S4) Final featured a silver from Alyssa Gialamas.
This set the stage for the Women’s 100m Freestyle S9 Final where Natalie Sims would set a Paralympic record of 1:06.05. Her teammate Hannah Aspden would place bronze.
Finally, the one bright spot for USA Men’s Swimmers was in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke SB7 Final, where Liam Smith placed silver.
Para Taekwondo saw a bronze medal for the United States with the help of the Dominican Republic’s Elisabeth Geraldo. She withdrew from competition and now Sophie Gimeno owns a bronze medal.
Finally, it was the final day of wheelchair tennis. That meant it was time for women’s doubles, a bronze match and men’s quads. Unfortunately, for the United States, we would only medal in later two of these events.
The U.S. pair of Dana Mathewson and Emmy Kaiser defeated the Columbian team of Angelica Bernal and Johana Martinez, 6-3, 7-5.
“I think for me, this whole tournament has been about resistance, because there have been times that I have really been down. It was to the point where I was like, ‘okay, we’re gonna win this now’ because I have a teammate now” Said Mathewson.
Though he lost his match, Team USA’s David Wagner still earned a bronze medal in the men’s quad final. He fell to Canadian Robert Shaw in straight sets.
Here’s the medal count after August 30, 2019:
- Brazil (255)
- United States (162)
- Mexico (132)
- Columbia (104)
- Argentina (96)
Here’s today’s photo of the day:
That’s all for tonight, see you tomorrow!
For more photos check out:
https://photos.wheelchairsportsfederation.org
Wheelchair Sports Federation Media 