Paraguay wins its first esports medal: Verónica Chávez takes bronze at the South American Games
Esports debuted as a medal sport at Santa Fe 2026, and Paraguay reached the podium in the first week. Who she is, how she got there and what it means for gamers in Paraguay.
Bronze for Verónica Chávez in EA Sports FC
On September 14, Verónica Chávez won bronze in women's EA Sports FC at the 13th South American Games, Santa Fe 2026. It's Paraguay's first esports medal at these games, which include the discipline as a medal event for the first time this year.
Chávez lost her semifinal 8–5 to Peru's Patricia Pérez and finished third. Gold went to Argentina's Daniela Arias, who beat Pérez 7–6 in the deciding game of the final.
“It's the third time I've represented Paraguay and the first time I get to be part of the medal count,” she said after the event.
Esports at the 2026 South American Games
Santa Fe 2026 brings together more than 4,000 athletes from 15 countries between September 12 and 26. Esports are played in Rosario, at the L2 Arena, across three titles: EA Sports FC 26, Assetto Corsa Competizione (racing sim) and VALORANT.
In the VALORANT group stage, Paraguay lost to Argentina 13–1 and 13–3. Argentina went on to win men's gold on September 16, beating Chile 2–1 in the final.
What it means for gamers in Paraguay
A medal at a regional multi-sport event puts esports on the same table as track or swimming. That brings visibility, and it shows more kids that competing in a video game also means training, representing your country and winning.
It also leaves a question open: where teams get together to train and compete in person. Online tournaments work, but the energy of a final happens in a room with a crowd.
Esports you play on your feet
Classic esports are played sitting in front of a screen. In free-roam VR, teams move through the same physical space, headsets on and no cables. We cover it in what VR esports look like and in how we're designing free-roam esports nights in Asunción.
Quick answers
Did Paraguay win an esports medal?
Yes. Verónica Chávez won bronze in women's EA Sports FC on September 14, 2026, at the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games. It's Paraguay's first esports medal at these games.
Which games are in the 2026 South American Games esports?
EA Sports FC 26, Assetto Corsa Competizione and VALORANT, played in Rosario, Argentina.
Who won men's VALORANT gold at the 2026 South American Games?
Argentina, beating Chile 2–1 in the September 16 final.
Where are the Santa Fe 2026 esports played?
At the L2 Arena in Rosario, Argentina.
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