Brazil ended the 2022 edition of the South American Games, in Asunción (Paraguay), leading the medal table. Even without full strength in most sports, the Brazilian delegation was on the podium 319 times, with 133 gold, 100 silver, and 86 bronze medals.
It was the third time the country finished at the top of the table, repeating 2002 when the event took place in Brazil, and 2014, in Santiago (Chile). In Asunción, the delegation equaled the Brazilian record for golds won away from home. In Medellin (Colombia), 12 years ago, it obtained 133 golden laurels.
The event ended last Saturday (Oct 15), with Bárbara Seixas (beach volleyball) and Caio Bonfim (athletic walking) representing the country as flag-bearers at the closing ceremony. Bárbara, in fact, was one of the last medal winners for Brazil, winning gold in the women’s event, alongside Carol Solberg.
Brazil led the medal table of the Games since the beginning, and ended the event with 54 gold medals more than Colombia, in second place.
Protagonists
Women were responsible for most of Brazil’s medals in Asunción, both overall (160 to 137) and in the podium tops cutout (68 to 54). Swimmers Giovanna Diamante (eight golds and two silvers) and Stephanie Balduccini (seven golds and one bronze) were the protagonists.
In 27 sports, the tournament served as a qualifier for next year’s Pan American Games, in Santiago (Chile). Brazil was successful in most of them, as in the women’s handball, in the two water polo teams (both gold medalists), and in field hockey (bronze).
The next edition of the South American Games will be held in 2026, in the Argentinean cities of Rosario and Santa Fé.
