Peruvian fencer Mariana Soriano won the silver medal in women's individual foil at the South American Games Santa Fe 2026, becoming the first Peruvian athlete to reach the podium at this edition of the Games.
Soriano lost the gold medal final 15-9 to Brazil's Ana Di Renzo, a result that still secured her the silver and one of the most significant achievements of her international career so far.
Route to the final
Soriano's path to the podium was defined by resilience across a demanding series of bouts. She opened with a 5-4 win over Colombia's Tatiana Prieto, then beat Uruguay's Maria Papuchi 5-1. She lost 2-5 to Brazil's Valentina Cassanello before bouncing back with a 5-2 win over Venezuela's Anabella Acurero.
She then fell 4-5 to Chile's Arantza Inostroza in a tight bout, before recording further wins over Colombia's Laura Guerra, 15-7, and Venezuela's Isis Gimenez, 15-13.
The semifinal brought a rematch with Inostroza, and this time Soriano prevailed in a tense 15-14 contest that sent her through to the final and guaranteed Peru a medal.
First podium finish of the Games
Soriano is part of the Programa de Apoyo al Deportista, or Athlete Support Program (PAD), run by Peru's Instituto Peruano del Deporte, or Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD), which supports high-performance athletes in the country. The South American Games Santa Fe 2026, held in Santa Fe, Argentina, brings together athletes from across the continent competing for medals in a wide range of sports, including fencing.
Her silver in the individual foil event marked the first medal won by a Peruvian competitor at this year's Games.
Building international record
The result adds to a growing international record for Soriano, whose full name is Soriano Lopez. She won the South American precadete individual title in 2021, taking gold in Colombia.
In March 2026, she was also part of the Peruvian team that won bronze at the Pan American Youth and Cadet Fencing Championship in Bogota, Colombia. Peru defeated Mexico 45-44 in that competition to claim the country's first team medal in that event.
IPD reaction and support
Oscar Fernandez Caceres, president of the Instituto Peruano del Deporte, praised Soriano's dedication and that of her technical team, and said the achievement carried significant weight for Peruvian sport. The IPD said it would continue supporting national representatives through their preparation and competition abroad.
Support program for athletes
Through the Programa de Apoyo al Deportista, the IPD provides financial grants and technical support to high-performance athletes to strengthen their preparation and participation in national and international competitions.
In 2026, the program is supporting more than 270 athletes as part of the IPD's broader strategy to improve training conditions for national team members ahead of upcoming challenges, including the Pan American and Parapan American Games Lima 2027.
