Perez recorded 5:40.47 minutes in the 400 meter freestyle, in the S6
category, ahead of favorite Daniel Londoño (Colombia-5:4085) and Adriano
de Lima (Brasil-5:51.71), who won seven gold medals in Rio de Janeiro 2007.

This medal is the result of lot of training and the commitment of assuring
the first gold medal for Cuba on the first day of competitions.

Perez affirmed that he swam fast but not enough to break the Parapan
American record as he was looking forward to, and added that the result
would have been different if he had competed with toughest swimmers.

This 26 year-old athlete noted that he competed under pressure as he was
nearly disqualified for showing up three minutes later.

Prior to the awarding ceremony he insisted in that he would conquer more
medals in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle, on November 15 and 17 when he
will compete once again.

Perez dedicated his medal to his family, specially his sons, and to the
Cuban people.

On Sunday, the Cuban delegation also secured a bronze medal by swimmer
Yunerki Ortega, in the 100 meter backstroke, with 1:22.91 minutes,
trailing Argentinean Sergio Zayas (1:17.83) and Colombian Juan Buitrago
(1:17.95).