Caitlin Chang won Jamaica its first-ever medal at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, a silver, in the final of fencing's individual epee competition on Saturday.
Chang, who began competing in the morning session, took silver after going down 10-15 to Cuba's Jocelyn Cruz in the final.
“I did better than I expected today and it's great to win a medal for Jamaica,” said Chang. “I am sad I lost the finals but I'm just putting it in the back of my mind, and I'm just super happy now that I managed to get this for myself and my teammates. They really spurred me on the whole day they really, really crazily cheered me on.
“It's just an amazing feeling to have gotten a medal at these Games.”
Commenting on the historical aspect, she said: “We're fairly new in terms of federations, so winning this medal for fencing is special. It's very emotional because it's historic in a way, it's our first senior medal at this Games. I think one of our teammates won something similar in qualifying, but this is a historic moment and I'm a part of that.”
Head of the delegation for the Jamaica team, Lieutenant General Derrick Robinson, and Ryan Foster, CEO of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), commended her efforts.
Robinson said: “It's an excellent performance. I believe it's the first fencing medal that we've got at the Central American and Caribbean Games. It's good for the sport, and tomorrow I know there are other competitions that we'll be entering in and we look for more successes.”
Foster remarked: “Another first for the JOA. This medal symbolises the broadened movement in support by the JOA in allowing other sports the platform to showcase the strength of our country's ability to perform outside of track and field.”
He added: “I'm extremely pleased to see the variety in medals thus far as we have now won medals in squash, swimming and now fencing. Our 10 in 20 campaign is well on the way.”
Chang's historic medal kept Jamaica 10th on the table with eight medals — three gold, one silver and four bronze.
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