Ronald Palomino Wins Pan American Mixed Doubles Gold Medal

UNSQUASHABLE player Ronald Palomino and partner Lucía Bautista Sarmiento produced an impressive unbeaten campaign to claim the Mixed Doubles Gold Medal for Colombia at the 2026 XXVII Pan American Squash Championships in Asunción, Paraguay.

The Colombian pairing dominated the Mixed Doubles competition, winning all four of their matches without dropping a game and finishing their campaign with a commanding straight-games victory over Timmy Brownell and Marina Stefanoni of the USA in the final.

Ronald and Bautista Sarmiento began their title challenge with an assured 11-5 11-7 victory over Guyana's Alexander Arjoon and Kirsten Gomes in the opening round. The Colombians quickly established control through accurate hitting and effective movement, setting the tone for an impressive run.

The quarter-finals brought another strong performance as they defeated Canada's George Crowne and Nicole Bunyan 11-6 11-2. Ronald and Bautista Sarmiento maintained their attacking intensity throughout, limiting their opponents' opportunities and securing their place in the last four.

A semi-final against Argentina's Segundo Portabales and Paula Rivero followed, but the Colombians again proved too strong. They dictated the pace from the opening rally and completed a convincing 11-4 11-3 victory to book their place in the gold-medal match.

The final provided the toughest test of the tournament against the American pairing of Timmy Brownell and Marina Stefanoni. Despite the increased pressure of a championship match, Ronald and Bautista Sarmiento remained composed and continued to execute their game plan effectively.

The Colombians made an excellent start, taking the opening game 11-4 before maintaining their advantage in a more closely contested second game. They held their nerve during the crucial exchanges to secure an 11-9 victory and complete a 2-0 triumph, sealing the Pan American Mixed Doubles title.

For Ronald, the gold medal represents another significant achievement on the international stage and adds to his growing list of honours representing Colombia. His successful partnership with Bautista Sarmiento also underlines the depth of Colombian squash and the country's ability to compete for major honours across multiple disciplines.

With four consecutive victories and no games dropped throughout the competition, Palomino and Bautista Sarmiento were deserved champions in Asunción, delivering a composed and authoritative performance from the opening round through to the gold-medal match.