Top 10 Americas Moments of 2018: No. 9

“Since Lima was announced as host city for the 2019 Parapan American Games, we have noticed that Paralympic sports have started a steady growth not just in Lima, but all around the country.”

Pilar Jauregui left the 2018 Para Badminton Pan American Championships as the most decorated player after winning the women’s singles and doubles, as well as the mixed doubles H 1/2 titles.

With the year coming to an end, we are counting down the Americas Paralympic Committee’s Top 10 Moments of 2018. Jauregui’s superb performance at the regional competition enters at No.9.

In Lima, Jauregui beat Yuka Chokyu 21-9, 21-9 in the singles final. She then joined forces with the Canadian to take the doubles crown. The Peruvian, alongside Brazilian player Rodolfo Cano, also won the mixed doubles.

It was a highly-successful competition for Peru, who secured seven golds with less than a year to go until badminton makes its Parapan American debut at Lima 2019.

Until recently, Jauregui was unsure about which sport to play on home ground at next year’s Parapan American Games.

She used to be one of the key players of the Peruvian women’s wheelchair basketball team, as well as enjoying success in wheelchair tennis and badminton.

But after such a performance at the Para badminton regional event, Jauregui has already made up her mind.

Outside the sporting field, she is one of the Lima 2019 Ambassadors.

“Since Lima was announced as host city for the 2019 Parapan American Games, we have noticed that Paralympic sports have started a steady growth not just in Lima, but all around the country,” she said.

“All ambassadors are very much engaged with the Games. Everyone knows that if we keep training the way we do, the medals will come along and the Peruvian flag will fly high in our own country.”

The countdown of the APC’s Top 10 Moments continues until 31 December.