Pan American Games 2023: Reigning champions Hugo Calderano and Adriana Diaz take continental gold to close out table tennis’ singles final

It was a 21-minute final before the three-time Pan Am gold medallist Calderano took down his opponent to retain his title

Hugo Calderano, now officially the greatest table tennis player in the Americas, just won his third consecutive Pan American Games gold after defeating Cuba’s Andy Pereira Diez in straight sets (11-3, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4).

Ranked 150th in the world, Pereira defied odds to make the gold medal match in Santiago, but will return to Cuba with a silver medal and having finished second to the Brazilian great.

A crowd full of Brazilians in green and yellow suits were packed into the stands to witness the final that was over in 21 minutes, and it was towards them that Calderano went immediately after his win. He showed love and appreciation by taking selfies with fans and signing flags and paddles.

"What motivates me are these emotions of winning a title with so many people watching, people who love table tennis. That's what makes me keep going and giving my 100% to continue dominating in the Americas," Calderano said to Olympics.com in Portugese. 

Hugo Calderano from Brazil in action for the men’s singles finals at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games at Nunoa’s Olympic Training Center on November 1 in Santiago, Chile.

He just became the first table tennis player to ever take three Pan American gold medals for singles, and now totals five continental titles. He also dominates the scene at the Pan American Championships, where from 2017 to 2023, gold is the only colour he’s ever taken home.

He is currently ranked fourth in the world according to the ITTF World Rankings, being the only one of the top six from outside of the People’s Republic of China.

The women’s gold medal match kicked off the night and Puerto Rico’s reigning Pan American Champion Adriana Diaz took gold in an emotional win over Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi.

The two shared a long, tearful embrace following the end of their battle and stood together in first and second on the podium.

Team matches for table tennis kick off on Thursday 2 November and will continue to the fifth, also the final day of Santiago 2023.