Photo: The Pan American Flame Lights Up Itaipú with Spirit and Unity – ASU2025.
Credit: Juegos Panamericanos Junior Asunción 2025
By Constanza Mora Pedraza – Aips Media
The second edition of the Junior Pan American Games will begin this August 9, 2025 in Asunción the capital of Paraguay, with the participation of more than 4,000 athletes, who will compete for medals in the 28 sports (42 disciplines). This event, in addition to promoting sports among young people, also gives them the opportunity to qualify for the 2027 Pan American Games, which once again will be held in Lima, Peru.
A Quick ThrowBack
The Junior Pan American Games were established in 2019 as an exclusive event for athletes under 21 years of age. The first edition was held in 2021 in Cali, Colombia, where 28 sports and 40 disciplines were competed. Brazil, with a total of 164 medals (59 gold, 49 silver, and 56 bronze), was crowned champion. Second place went to the hosts, Colombia, after winning 48 gold, 34 silver, and 63 bronze medals. The United States was third with 114 medals (47 gold, 29 silver, and 38 bronze). Among the most notable athletes were Brazilians Stephanie Balduccini (7 golds in swimming), Ana Carolina Vieira (5 golds in swimming), Breno Martins Correia (5 golds in swimming), Mexican Anahi Álvarez Corral (3 golds and 1 silver in triathlon), and Colombian Lina Marcela Hernández Gómez (3 golds and 1 silver in cycling).
ASU 2025
For the 2025 edition of this multi-sport event, which will feature 41 participating countries, the Pan American Sports Organization (PANAM SPORTS) and the Local Organizing Committee have incorporated six sports/disciplines: BMX Freestyle, Golf, Sport Shooting, Open Water, Rugby 7 and Waterskiing.
It was also confirmed that there will be 216 qualifiers for Lima 2027, 16 of them in team sports (Handball, Hockey, Rugby 7, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, and 3×3 Basketball).
Venues
Venues are a fundamental part of a multi-sport event, which is why the investment in infrastructure was reflected in ASU2025 with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Aquatic Center, considered the most modern aquatic jewel in South America.
Sports and Mental Health at ASU2025
Mental health is one of the emerging topics in sports, and at ASU2025, it had a special spot in an event organized by Psychology students at Columbia University of Paraguay. This event brought together prominent national athletes such as multi-medallist swimmer Benjamín Hockin, who currently chairs the Athletes Commission of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, along with more than 130 students and teachers. There, sport as a pillar for a healthy physical and mental life was a call for reflection. The importance of psychological preparation in elite sports and caring for mental health as an essential part of success were also addressed.
Sports and Education Projects
ASU2025 and the Ministry of Education and Sciences sealed a strategic alliance that gave life to the project «Let’s Live the ASU2025 Junior Pan American Games Together,» which seeks to integrate the values of sport and education, and cultivate the Pan American spirit in young people across the country. In addition, among the aims is to encourage the participation of not only students but also teachers in activities related to the Games. They were inculcated with values such as teamwork, discipline, inclusion, and respect.
«The Games are consolidated not only as a great continental sporting event, but also as a transformative educational legacy that transcends the event.» ASU2025.
Participating Countries
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
