Host Panama was crowned the Girls U17 champion of the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 after a 62-0 victory over Venezuela.
The gold medalists were worthy victors having won every game in the tournament and cruised to victory before an excited crowd of 2,700 fans at the Emilio Royo Stadium.
The finals of the first-ever flag football games showcased some of the talent emerging in this part of the Americas. The sport was included as IFAF continues to expand competitive opportunities for national youth teams and increase the sport’s presence across the Olympic movement.
“Having flag football within these games gives the sport more attention, it gives more opportunities as well for the athletes, so we're very happy,” said Damaris Young, President of the Olympic Committee of Panama and an IOC board member. “Flag football already has fans here in Panama, it already has the whole ecosystem but bringing it within the games to be showcased among all the rest of the sports is very positive.”
Three Panama players threw touchdowns and receiver Maria Castillo reeled in a first half hattrick as the hosts overwhelmed their less experienced opponents and led 43-0 at halftime. Quarterback Alejandra Ramos, whose performances highlighted Panama’s dominance, threw for four touchdowns and Lucia Rodriguez weighed in with three.
Venezuela was the fairytale story of the games, winning the silver medal with the competition’s youngest and most inexperienced squad. The newcomers produced an upset playoff win over a Brazil team that had beaten them twice in the group stages to advance to the final. Trailing 12-0 early in the game, the comeback began with a Natalia Figueroa to Arantxa Sanchez touchdown pass and then Sofia Fernandez tied the score with a catch up the middle. Sanchez’s extra point opened a13-12 halftime lead.
Arantza Pinzon then extended the lead and although 39 hauled Brazil back to within two points, another Pinzon score opened what proved to be an unassailable 26-18 lead and spark wild celebrations. Figueroa threw four touchdowns in the victory.
“It’s really been an honor,” said two-touchdown hero Pinzon who only started playing flag football three months ago. “Those first two games Brazil beat us, but we knew we could win today. It is all thanks to our coaches that we have won.”
Final Placement
Gold: Panama Silver: Venezuela Bronze: Brazil
Results
Girls Gold Medal Game Panama 62 Venezuela 0
Girls Semifinal Venezuela 26 Brazil 18
Player of the Day
Arantza Pinzon, Venezuela
The receiver twice found the end zone in a dramatic playoff win over Brazil as Venezuela advanced to the gold medal game.
“When I caught the touchdowns, I thought about all the support my family gave me and the emotion of how they were feeling,” she said.
Day Two Standings
Panama 4-0 Brazil 2-2 Venezuela 0-4
Saturday Results
Panama 56 Venezuela 0 Venezuela 6 Brazil 12 Brazil 6 Panama 61
Friday Results
Brazil 38 Venezuela 7 Panama 53 Brazil 14 Venezuela 0 Panama 62
Photo: ODESUR
