Not even a fall on his final apparatus could bump Félix Dolci off the medal podium Monday.
The rising Canadian gymnastics star had built enough of a lead in the men’s all-around competition before horizontal (high) bar to hold off Diogo Soares of Brazil and win Canada’s 10th gold medal at the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile.
The 21-year-old native of Laval, Que., scored over 14 points in four of six apparatus and totalled 82.531, with silver medallist Soares close behind with 81.865. Donnell Whittenburg of the United States earned bronze (81.764).
Dolci, who qualified seventh for the final, is the first Canadian to win all-around Pan Am gold in men’s artistic gymnastics since Wilhelm Weiler in 1963.
William Émard of Laval placed 16th in the 24-man field.
Earlier this month, Dolci and Émard helped Canada end a 15-year drought and qualify a men’s team for the Paris Olympics next summer.
Featured VideoFélix Dolci of Laval, Que., captured the Artist Gymnastics all-around gold medal Monday at the Pan Am Games in Chile.
‘I’m expecting a successful year’
On Saturday, Rene Cournoyer, Zachary Clay, Jayson Rampersad, Dolci and Émard captured team silver behind the United States.
“I’m expecting a successful year for myself in 2023 in all the international competitions I’ll be attempting,” Dolci told International Gymnast Online in January. “The best way for me to reach such goals would be by staying healthy and keep pushing in the same direction I’ve been going since [2022] worlds.
“I’m ready to work like I’ve never worked before in order to be where I’ve never been before in my career.”
Dolci made an impact 14 months ago at the Commonwealth Games, earning silver in the team event and floor exercise while placing fourth in individual all-around.
A year earlier, he brought home vault silver and bronze in team, all-around and floor from the 2021 Pan Am Championships.
In 2018, he represented Canada at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was the first Canadian to win a gymnastics medal (silver in rings).
The following year, Dolci became the most decorated athlete in Canada Games history in 2018, compiling 11 medals over two appearances.
With two gold, three silver and two bronze Monday, Canada ran its medal total at the five-day meet to 15 after three days (six gold, four silver, five bronze).
Golden hat trick for Mac Neil
As expected, Canada continues to dominate in the pool on the women’s side.
It’s a golden hat trick for 2020 Olympic triple medallist Maggie Mac Neil of London, Ont. She broke her second record in two days at these Games, winning the women’s 100-metre freestyle in 53.64 seconds.
“I’m really happy with that. It was a best time and before that was from [the relay leadoff leg at] worlds this summer,” said the 23-year-old product of London Aquatic Club.
Featured VideoMaggie Mac Neil of London, Ont., claimed her second Pan Am gold medal, this time in the 100 metre freestyle final in Chile.
Mac Neil also went 56.94 in the 100 butterfly on Monday after helping Canada’s relay women to victory in Saturday’s 4×100 free.
“To have taken a break and come back and gone faster than that is]really good stuff. I never thought I’d have a record in 100 free at a meet. It’s my first time swimming [the individual event) internationally so I’m super happy with that.”
In Monday’s race, Stephanie Balduccini of Brazil collected silver in 54.13, while American Catie DeLoof (54.50) took bronze. Mary-Sophie Harvey of Trois-Rivières, Que., was fourth (54.64) after posting a winning time of 1:58.08 in Sunday’s 200 free.
Sydney Pickrem of Halifax and Winnipeg’s Kelsey Wog finished one-two in the women’s 200 breaststroke on Monday, posting times of 2:23.39 and 2:23.49.
“I’m just really grateful to be here in this position and want to put my best foot forward for Canada and I’m glad to come out with a win,” said the 26-year-old Pickrem.
Pickrem is fresh off her victory in the 200 individual medley eight days ago at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Athens. In July, the 26-year-old withdrew from the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan for personal reasons.
Two years ago, Pickrem won Olympic bronze in Tokyo with the women’s 4×100 medley relay team.
Featured VideoCanada’s Sydney Pickrem claimed gold and teammate Kelsey Wog took silver in the 200 metre breaststroke at the Pan Am Games in Chile Monday.
