(JULY 30) — Suriname’s young standout sprinter Issam Asinga completed the sprint double at the 2023 South American Athletics Outdoor Championships on Sunday (30), clocking a new championship record time of 20.19 seconds to win the 200m in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
His winning time improved the old championship record of 20.42 seconds, set by Colombia’s Bernardo Baloyes in Lima, Peru, four years ago.
Asinga, who clocked 9.89 seconds to set a new World U20m record in the 100m on Friday, used a strong opening 150m meters to take control on the 200m on Sunday, and although he was challenged briefly by Panama’s Alonso Edward, the 18-year-old was able to pull away before easing across the finishing line in the new championship mark.
Edward, the world silver medalist behind world record holder Usain Boly at the 2009 world track and field championships, ran 20.30 seconds to also dip under the previous championship record of 20.42 seconds, set Colombia’s Bernardo Baloyes set the 200m championship record with a time.
Cesar Almiron Escobar of Paraguay won the bronze medal, clocking in at a time of 20.49 secs.
South American Athletics Outdoor Championships results
- Issam Asinga – SUR – 0.184 – 20.19 – CR
- Alonso Edward – PAN – 20.30 – CR
- Cesar Almiron Escobar – PAR – 20.49
- Jorge Henrique da Costa Vides – BRA – 20.59
- Oscar Manuel Baltan Viveros – COL – 20.89
- Ciampitti Juan Ignacio – ARG – 21.01
- Katriel Aldair Angulo Mendez – ECU – 21.14
- Carlos Andres Palacios Murillo – COL – DNS
