Battles for Pan American Rugby Titles

(ATR) In a replay of the gold medal match of the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games, Canada and the U.S. clashed for the title in Lima Sunday.

Both of them are qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games, but the hunger to win a new medal led to a tight match. The final score was 24-10 with the Canadians claiming gold, its third in a row at the Pan Ams.

"This is surreal. We came here with a purpose and a goal and we achieved it so very proud of everyone on the team. We are a country that shares the same goal, so also having the men playing the final it's a real honor for us", Canada’s Pam Buisa said after the match.

"Next year we are going to have a real tough season with the Olympics in July. We are getting to know new girls on the team, we are building a real competitive team and that opens our possibilities to continue growing," said Asia Hogan-Rochester. With three tries, she was Canada’s top scorer in the final.

The U.S. team arrived in Lima after finishing fourth in the Rugby 7 Series. That's why they decided to take their best team to the Pan Ams, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Canadians.

Forthe men's final match, Argentina faced Canada, the defending champion from 2015.

But Argentina entered the match focused on victory, outscoring Canada 33-10.

Both teams know each other well from the Rugby 7 series. And while coming close in the past Pan Ams, Canada has always managed to pip the Argentina men in the final matches.

"This is a medal that crowns our great season. This is a group that sacrifices many things to become part of the team and this gold medal is the perfect season closure," said Argentina coach Santiago Gomez Cora.

"We still remember 2015 final we lost on the last minute, and for this edition, we had a one only goal which was to win the final. We've done a really intense season and had good performance and this is a reward for all this hard work."

Argentina seemed to have won the competition from the start. They arrived in Lima with their best team and played their matches as if each were the final.

"This medal is a huge award for the enormous work this team has made, we deserve it. It's an honor to be here with the whole Argentine delegation and being able to contribute with one medal for the final score," said team captain Santiago Alvarez.

"The national rugby is working really hard and the results and showing off," he said.

Now for both teams, a new goal: next July for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

"It's a really important year 2020, not only because of the 7 Series but also because of Tokyo, that's where our main goal will be. We know it won't be easy, but we have to prepare really hard," said Alvarez.

Written and reported by Olivia Diaz Ugaldein Lima.

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