Peru claimed its first two medals of the 2026 South American Games on Saturday, with fencer Mariana Soriano and swimmer Rafaela Fernandini both winning silver in Santa Fe, Argentina.
Soriano became the first Peruvian athlete to reach the podium at these Games after taking silver in the women's individual foil. Her run to the final included a tight 15-14 semifinal win over Chile's Arantza Inostroza.
In the gold medal bout, Soriano faced Brazil's Ana Di Renzo. She was unable to complete a comeback and lost 15-9, settling for silver in a result that organizers and Peruvian sports officials say reflects her growing international standing.
Rising fencing prospect
Soriano is 19 years old and a member of the Athlete Support Program run by Peru's Sports Institute, known as the IPD. She had already posted strong results at youth level and helped win a historic team medal at the Pan American Youth and Cadet Championship in Bogota, Colombia.
Silver in the pool
Peru's second medal came in the pool, where Fernandini won silver in the women's 100-meter freestyle with a time of 55.65 seconds. The result continues a strong run of form for one of Peru's leading swimmers.
Fernandini swims for Club de Regatas Lima and is considered one of the standout members of the Peruvian national swim team. She arrived in Santa Fe after winning the 100-meter freestyle at the 2025 Bolivarian Games in Ayacucho and Lima, and after taking the same event at a meet in France this past March.
Peru's push at the Games
The two silvers opened Peru's medal count in Santa Fe and carry particular weight as the delegation's first of the competition. Peru sent 492 athletes to Argentina, with hopes of building on the results as part of the broader Olympic cycle.
The South American Games are being held from September 12 to 26 across the Argentine cities of Rosario, Santa Fe and Rafaela.
