• Submitted by: Luis Manuel Mazorra
• Sports
• 10 / 18 / 2011

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Hanser Garcia won today a surprise silver medal in the 100 freestyle for the XVI Pan American Games-2011.

Garcia finished with a time of 48.34 seconds national record, the previous was 48.91, and returned to the island to the podium of the Pan American Games, which were absent from Winnipeg-1999.

The Cuban was only surpassed by the Olympic and world champion, Brazilian Cesar Cielo, who established the primacy of competition with 47.84.

In the playoffs the Cuban got the third fastest time of the day (49.08), preceded by Cielo (48.89) and Shaune Fraser (49.00), Cayman Islands, who had to settle for bronze metal (48.63).

I gave him a great joy to Cuba years ago did not have, "I threw myself to die, I went to look for the best, I'm very happy," Garcia told Cuban television out of the pool.

In the morning, after the heats, the president of the Cuban Federation of swimming, Rodolfo Falcon, declared that he would be a very difficult final, as well as Cielo Filho, four swimmers were present at very even and anyone could get medals.

He was troubled at the start, left far behind the other competitors, but it was with great strength, well prepared, and hopefully improve the startup to enter medals in other tournaments, said Falcon.