Youth Pan American Games: Ava Lee Gives Haiti Its First Gold Medal
By La Rédaction · Port-au-Prince
· 2 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
ASUNCION, Paraguay.— When a people go through darkness, sometimes a spark is enough to rekindle hope. At the Youth Pan American Games, that spark is named Ava Lee, and its brilliance is made of gold. The young Haitian taekwondo athlete made history by winning the very first Pan American gold medal for her country, inscribing her name in the pantheon of national sport.
On the Paraguayan tatami, Ava Lee demonstrated impressive maturity. Her entry into the competition was decisive: a 2-0 victory against Puerto Rican Valeria López, without conceding a single point. In the semi-final, she repeated the feat against Ecuadorian Matvelin Espinoza, managing the fight with calm and precision.
In the final, against Mexican Paloma Garcia, the task was more difficult. Trailing after the first round (0-1), the left-handed Haitian found the mental resources to reverse the trend. Thanks to a perfectly executed dollyo tchagui and several precise combinations, she won 2-1 and offered Haiti a historic victory.
“I never thought about giving up,” she confided after the fight. “I felt a whole people behind me. This medal is for Haiti.”
A Victory That Transcends Sport
This success goes beyond the sporting arena. In a country plagued by crisis and insecurity, this medal represents an act of resistance and a symbol of hope for the youth. The president of the Haitian Olympic Committee, Hans Larsen, emphasizes the collective significance of this triumph.
“This result is not by chance. It is the reward for the hard work of our athletes and our leaders. Today, Haiti makes history,” he declared. The same sentiment was echoed by the Haitian Taekwondo Federation. Its president, Dr. Frénel Ostin, highlighted the importance of this milestone.
“Haitian taekwondo is experiencing a historic day. We persevered with limited resources, but with the conviction that this sport could raise our flag. Ava is living proof of that.” A Medal for a Youth That Refuses to Give Up While the state and the private sector struggle to fully support athletes, Ava Lee's performance reveals the immense potential of a youth that refuses to give in. It also reminds us that, even in chaos, Haiti can still shine and sit at the winners' table. This August 16, 2025, will thus remain a pivotal date, not only for the history of Haitian sport but also for the collective imagination of a people in search of pride and rebirth. Jean Mapou
“This result is not by chance. It is the reward for the hard work of our athletes and our leaders. Today, Haiti makes history,” he declared. The same sentiment was echoed by the Haitian Taekwondo Federation. Its president, Dr. Frénel Ostin, highlighted the importance of this milestone.
“Haitian taekwondo is experiencing a historic day. We persevered with limited resources, but with the conviction that this sport could raise our flag. Ava is living proof of that.” A Medal for a Youth That Refuses to Give Up While the state and the private sector struggle to fully support athletes, Ava Lee's performance reveals the immense potential of a youth that refuses to give in. It also reminds us that, even in chaos, Haiti can still shine and sit at the winners' table. This August 16, 2025, will thus remain a pivotal date, not only for the history of Haitian sport but also for the collective imagination of a people in search of pride and rebirth. Jean Mapou
