Squash has become an Olympic sport after much humming and hawing. It is penciled in as part of the itinerary for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. When it comes to the Pan American Games, however, squash has been a part of that event since 1995. The current edition in Santiago, Chile is the biggest event in the sport following the decision to add it to the Olympic roster. As the sport itself triumphed in the Olympic arena, the US team had its time in the sport at the Pan Am Games.

The seven-member Team USA delegation hoped to add to their medal tally in Santiago. Incidentally, the US, in squash, claimed five gold, one silver, and one bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. They hoped to improve upon that record this time of asking. The first step taken toward that achievement has been a successful one, with all three medals secured in the women’s singles.

Team USA makes history at the Pan American Games

Team USA took over the podium almost entirely at the conclusion of the women’s singles event. The medalists were Olivia Fiechter, Amanda Sobhy, and Marina Stefanoni. US Squash shared a picture of all three medalists via Instagram. They added one emoji per medal earned and followed it with the caption, “@teamusa is the first country to win all three women’s individual medals at the @panamsports quadrennial Games.”

Defending champion and World no. 5 Amanda Sobhy had to be content with the silver medal this time. Olivia Fiechter, ranked four places below, pipped her to the gold after an epic fightback. Fiechter emerged victorious with a 4-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 scoreline. Marina Stefanoni shared the bronze medal with Canada’s Hollie Naughton. Naughton won the bronze medal for the second successive time after being beaten by Fechter en route to the gold. That will not be enough for Team USA, as they look to improve upon the five golds they secured at the previous Pan American Games.

Focus now shifts to the remaining events

Following an unprecedented three medals in one event, all eyes will now fall on the doubles and team events. The men’s singles did not yield Team USA any medals for the second successive Pan American Games. They are the defending champions in both doubles events. Moreover, they also won the gold medals for the team events in Lima.

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It remains to be seen if Team USA can successfully defend their gold medals in this edition of the Pan American Games. Given the team at their disposal, it would be folly to write them off.

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