he 2019 Parapan American Games on Aug. 28, 2019 in Lima, Peru.
Press the play button above to watch Torres in action.
The Parapan American Games concluded Sept. 1, according to the organization’s website.
Torres won a gold medal Wednesday racing to first place in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S9/S8 and set a new Parapan American record in the process, according to an article posted on the TEAM USA website.
Click here to read the article.
“Going into the race, I definitely did feel a little bit more pressure knowing that I was racing against swimmers of a higher class (S9). But I just had to embrace the challenge, get ready and put on a really good performance, and that’s exactly what I tried to do out there. So I feel like I’m one step closer,” Torres said.
Torres also won gold in the men’s 100 breaststroke S8, according to Team USA. He was one of the bronze medal winners in the men’s 4×100 medley relay.
TEAMUSA.ORG PHOTO
Matt Torres celebrates at the 2019 Parapan American Games on Aug. 28, 2019 in Lima, Peru.
Torres was born missing half of his right leg, according to an article from The CT Post in 2015.
His hands were also affected by amniotic band syndrome, according to the Post. The article was written when he was just 13 years old.
The City of Ansonia used its Facebook page to congratulate Torres Sunday.
“Mayor Cassetti and his administration are so proud to hear about the amazing splash Ansonia’s own, Matthew Torres, is making in the pool at the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru!!!,” the statement read, which recapped the Team USA website information.
“Keep making Ansonia proud, Matthew!!!” the post concluded.
The Parapan American Games is an international multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities held every four years after every Pan American Games, according to Wikipedia.
