2026 South American Games: Rugby and wrestling add to Argentina’s tally

Argentina continues at a solid pace at the 2026 South American Games, with its delegation racking up 174 medals — 46 gold, 49 silver and 79 bronze — after nine days of competition in Santa Fe.

The host nation sits second in the standings, with Brazil leading with 79 golds and 193 medals in total. In all Olympic’s style competitions, it’s the gold medal tally that orders the standings, and not the total tally.

Pumas and Yaguaretés crowned Argentina’s rugby sevens teams, the Pumas (men) and Yaguaretés (women), were among the biggest stories on Monday as they claimed gold in the men’s and women’s tournaments.

The Yaguaretés delivered a dominant performance in the final, thrashing Colombia 33-5. Paraguay claimed the bronze medal by beating Uruguay 22-12.

The win not only ended Brazil’s longstanding dominance in the women’s event but also secured Argentina’s berth at the 2027 Pan American Games.

“It’s the first gold medal we’ve ever won for Argentina,” said María Luján Taladrid, who was named the final’s MVP.

Having missed the previous South American Games, she said securing the win “felt amazing.”

“This is a huge step. We’re going through a rebuilding process and trying to pass on that mindset to the new girls coming in, showing them that it can be done,” she added.

The Pumas, meanwhile, beat Chile 17-7 to claim the top spot on the podium, repeating the titles they won in Santiago in 2014 and Asunción in 2022. Third place went to Uruguay, who comfortably defeated Colombia 22-7.

Armenian wrestler brings Argentina glory Armenian-born wrestler Arsen Julfalakyan was undoubtedly the story of the weekend after claiming gold for Argentina in the under-77kg Greco-Roman wrestling category.

The 39-year-old, who won a silver medal for Armenia at the London 2012 Olympics, retired in 2021, citing a loss of motivation after being left out of the Armenian team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In 2024, he made a comeback to represent Argentina after being invited by Argentine Olympic wrestler Yuri Maier. He quickly found a new home, saying his wife and children “fell in love with Argentina.”

“The crowd was perfect,” Julfalakyan said about the fans in Rosario. “The stands were so close, and I could feel their energy. They could almost touch me.”

He beat Colombia’s Jair Cuero 4-2 to claim the title and gold medal.

“My next goal will be LA 2028, and of course it will be representing Argentina,” he said after the win.