Lionel Messi and Argentina made America vibrate a few days ago by winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup champions. Yulimar Rojas filled everyone with pride in different meetings of the athletics elite. They were - without discussion - the best athletes on the American continent in 2022.
This is how the International Association of Sports Press (AIPS) of America, which since 2011 recognizes the best in the region.
Yulimar, current Olympic champion of the Triple Jump, received 10 votes to widely surpass the Cuban Yarisleidi Cirilo, who finished second with four points.
And it is that this year the Venezuelan became the first athlete to win three consecutive world titles after reigning in the Outdoor Athletics World Cup in Oregon.
Read also: Hail queen! Yulimar sealed a new treble in Oregon
It is the fourth time that Yulimar has received the distinction from AIPS America. In 2017 she became the first Creole to take over the award and from then on she has been a constant in the voting, winning with authority in 2020, 2021 and now in 2022.
For his part, Leo Messi, who has just won the Qatar 2022 World Cup champion, received 15 of the 18 possible votes. "La pulga", which for many was finally established as the best in the world, had already won in 2020 and 2019.
In total 18 countries participated in this year's election.
Deserved recognition to such excellent athletes who cover us with dignity, and open a compass of hope to the new generations. God bless South America.