Mexico’s Juan Luis Barrios became the first man athlete to win eight gold medals in athletics at the Central American and Caribbean Games as three records fell on the opening day of track and field action at Rafael Cotes stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, on Sunday (29).

Yorgelis Rodriguez brought the Pan American heptathlon title back to Cuba in commanding fashion by breaking the 16-year-old Games record, set by her compatriot Magalys Garcia, with a personal best total of 6332 in Toronto on Saturday (25).

Kenya’s Charles Ndirangu and Australia’s Zoe Buckman triumphed at the 50th edition of the Chiba Cross Country, and IAAF Cross Country Permit meeting, in Japan on Sunday (8).

World half-marathon silver medallist Samuel Tsegay will face Mexico’s Juan Luis Barrios at the Chiba International Cross Country, but for the domestic athletes competing at the IAAF Cross Country Permit meeting, the big goal is to gain selection for next month’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Guiyang.

Cuba’s three-time world champion Yipsi Moreno ended a successful career on a high note by breaking her own Games record in the hammer to provide one of the main highlights of the first four days of the athletics at the 22nd Central American and Caribbean Games in Xalapa, Mexico.