Pride of the Nation! Peruvian cyclist Hugo Ruiz Calle made history at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games by winning the second gold medal for Peru in the Omnium road cycling event.
Our compatriot shone on the track of the Peñalolén Velodrome, where he earned 125 points to crown himself as the best in the competition, surpassing Mexican Ricardo Peña (silver - 124 points) and Chilean Jacob Decar (bronze - 121 points), stepping onto the Pan American podium for the first time in his career.
"I am happy to win this gold medal. It is the result of a lot of effort and work, not only mine, but also of many people and entities that have been supporting me throughout the years", he said in an interview with ESPN.
It is Peru's first ever Pan American gold in road cycling
The native of Chulucanas, Piura, also entered the history of his sport in our country as the first Peruvian to win a gold medal in road cycling since the Pan American Games began.
Ruiz had previously participated in Lima 2019
Hugo Ruiz Calle was part of the Peruvian delegation that participated in Lima 2019. However, he could not win a medal on that occasion and finished in 14th place in the Men's Individual Time Trial.
How many medals does Team Peru have in the 2023 Pan American Games?
With the achievement of the 27-year-old athlete, Team Peru has won its 10th medal, including two gold, one silver, and the remaining seven bronze. Check the list of all national medalists.
- GOLD: Cristhian Pacheco - Marathon, Hugo Ruiz Calle - Road cycling
- SILVER: Ángelo Caro - Skateboarding
- BRONZE: Hugo del Castillo - Taekwondo, Gladys Tejeda - Marathon, Luis Ostos - Marathon, Cristian Morales - 10m Air Rifle, Nicolás Pacheco - Trap Shooting, Daniella Borda - Trap Shooting, Luis Bardales - Weightlifting.