Brazilian Women on the Throne in South America

Brazilian women boxers hammered their continental opponents in the 9th South American Games held in Medellin, Colombia at the Coliseum Unidad Deportiva on the 27th of March. Women's boxing was included in the multisport event for the first time since 1978.

News & Picture Source AIBA

Eleven boxers from Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia and the Netherlands Antilles entered the event that was organized into three weight classes to follow the new Olympic categories: 51kg, 60kg and 75kg. Among the South American countries, Argentina always gained the best results in female boxing in the past, but the Brazilian girls defeated the Argentinians in Medellin.

In the flyweight class final, two-time Panamerican champion Erica Matos, based in Bahia, surprised spectators when she defeated three-time Panamerican champion Paola Benavides of Argentina by points, 22:10. Benavides was awarded best female boxer by the American Boxing Confederation last year, but this year she went home with a silver medal instead.

Experienced Adriana Araujo, also Bahia-based, is a four-time Panamerican champion. She won against Daiana Sanchez of Argentina 15:8 in the lightweight class final and remains unbeaten in her continent since 2005.

Reigning Panamerican champion Andreia Bandeira from Sao Paulo went up a weight class from welterweight in Medellin and it was a huge success for her: She celebrated the final victory when she beat experienced Celeste Peralta of Argentina by points, 11:2.

The 10th edition of the South American Games will be held in Santiago de Chile in October 2014.