Santa Fe 2026 | Rueda seals the distance double, Argentina shines in the 5,000 and Mirena conquers the elimination

ODYTA Summary

The speed skating competition at the XIII South American Games Santa Fe 2026 concluded on September 16 after two days of racing on September 15 and 16. According to the source, Colombia remained a dominant force, Argentina produced a historic performance and Paraguay enjoyed a strong finish. On September 15, Gabriela Rueda of Colombia won the women's 5,000m points race with 26 points, ahead of compatriot Yisel Camila Giraldo on 20. Sara Muñoz took the women's 500m + D in 46.583, with Kollin Castro second in 46.651, and Santiago Vásquez won the men's 500m + D in 44.743. In the men's 5,000m points race, Benjamín Gader of Argentina won with 15 points, one ahead of teammate Ken Kuwada on 14, while Ecuador's David Sarmiento took third with 13. On September 16, Rueda won the women's 10,000m elimination to complete a distance double, with Giraldo taking silver. Paraguay's Julio César Mirena won the men's 10,000m elimination, described as Paraguay's second gold of the Games; the source notes he had earlier taken silver in the 1,000m sprint behind Colombia's Jhon Tascón. The report frames the results as confirming Colombia's continental strength, especially among its women, alongside the competitiveness of other national teams.