Andrés Caro: This was the second opportunity I had of competing in Cuenca, Ecuador, and apart from the Ecuadorian participants, Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina also took part, thus, raising the level.

Last year I won a silver medal in the juveniles category, but now I had a second chance, precisely with the person who beat me before, and this time I managed to win.

Apart from the juveniles category, I participated for the first time in the seniors category, winning the bronze medal. This meant much more than the gold one because of the higher level.

The most important thing I have learned is to value my training much more, and hence my trainer, Luis Flores. He is the one that made me grow in Tae Kwon Do since I started. And not only has he trained me as an athlete, but also as a person. It is also true to say that I wouldn’t have achieved anything without the person who sacrifices the most: my mother. She is the one who kept me going when I was tired, and I owe her everything I have achieved.

That’s why I think these medals or achievements, which are not still the most important ones I want, are shared between all of the people who helped me. To all of them, thank you.

Andrés took part in a recent tae kwon do national championship and won a gold medal in the juveniles category, and also in the seniors category. Congratulations Andrés!

SOUTH AMERICAN SKEET SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIP IN RIO DE JANEIRO
Nicolás Pacheco: I practised long and hard for this championship and I had a great time. Skeet shooting is a sport that requires physical and mental preparation, as well as practice. The days before the competition I wasn’t shooting well. However, my father and my coach talked to me and gave me confidence. They explained to me how important it was to represent my country. When the competition started I focused on my technique and my previous training experience. My shooting began to improve and I won the gold medal in the junior category and a gold medal in the adult’s teams. My coach had faith in me and put me in the adult’s team. This was the first time in South America that a 13 year-old was part of an adult team that won a gold medal. I was very proud to represent my country.