Stephanie Chan wins Canada’s first medal at 2023 Parapan American Games

SANTIAGO – Stephanie Chan of Vancouver collected her sixth career Parapan Am Games medal on Saturday earning a bronze in the women’s singles S6-7 combined class in Para table tennis.

Chan, Canada’s oldest athlete at 66, lost her semifinal match to arch-rival Giselle Munoz of Spain 11-1, 11-4, 11-3. The 39-year-old Munoz, like Chan, has medalled in the event at the last four Games.

‘’Today I wasn’t feeling well,” said Chan, who’ll undergo heart surgery after the Games. ‘’I had some problems with my breathing. Gabrielle played well but this heart problem did not allow me to play a lot this year.’’

Chan wins bronze in the event for a second straight Games. She was the gold medallist at Toronto 2015, took silver in 2011, and stepped atop the podium in both singles and the open event in 2007. She took up the sport at age 44.

‘’I’m so excited about the medal,” she added. ‘’After surgery I’ll come again to practice table tennis and be at the next Parapan Ams.’’

Canadian national team coach Dejan Papic lauded Chan’s courage.

‘’She found the strength to compete once again for the Canadian team,’’ said Papic. ‘’Considering her condition at these Games this may have been her best achievement. She did much more than we expected.’’

Defending champion Claudia Perez of Mexico received a bye to the gold medal match because she was first in the preliminary round and meets Munoz for gold later Saturday.

Chan is scheduled to compete later this week in mixed doubles with Asad Hussain Syed of Toronto.