Collins Pipped by Jamaican Clarke in Pan-American 100m

In the absence of Jamaica's giant world record holder and Olympic champion Usain Bolt, compatriot Lerone Clarke won the Pan-American Games 100 meters in a time of 10.01 seconds on Tuesday.

Clarke pipped favorite and former world champion Kim Collins, who clocked 10.04, to the gold medal after the sprinter from St Kitts and Nevis had set a Games record of 10.00 seconds in Monday's semi-finals.

Collins's consolation with silver was that it was his country's first Pan-Am Games medal, while Emmanuel Callender of Trinidad and Tobago took the bronze.

Rosangela Santos had a surprise victory in the women's 100 in her first Pan-Am Games after almost quitting the sport due to nagging injuries.

The 20-year-old lover of singer Beyonce's music won in a personal best 11.22 seconds with American Barbara Pierre second in 11.25 and Shakera Reece of Barbados third in 11.26.

This year is turning out to be very special for me, Brazil's Santos told reporters after her victory on the state of the art track at the brand new Telmex stadium.

My return after two years out. I had already thought of stopping doing athletics. I wasn't even coming to the Pan because I was feeling tired but my coach convinced me to come saying I'd get a good time.

I wasn't too sure but I did it, my best time and gold at my first Pan, said Santos, who listens to Beyonce's music whenever she needs to relax before competition and copied one of her dance moves after she won the race.

CUBAN GOLD

Cuba added two gold medals to the three they won on Monday's first day of track and field - in the decathlon and women's 800 meters.

Leonel Suarez set a Games record of 8373 points to win the decathlon ahead of title holder Maurice Smith of Jamaica, who held the previous record of 8278, with fellow Cuban Yordani Garcia third. Czech Roman Sebrle's world record is 9026.

The competition got a fitting finale as Mexicans Alberto Zarate and Rodrigo Sagaon came in first and second in the closing 1500 meters to cheers from the home crowd.

Adriana Munoz won the women's 800 in two minutes 4.08 seconds. Mexico's Gabriela Medina took silver and Colombian Rosibel Garcia bronze.

Canadian shot putter Dylan Armstrong, silver medallist at the world championships in Daegu in September, produced a Games record throw of 21.30 meters. Cuban Carlos Veliz was second and Argentine German Lauro third.

The men's long jump was won by Victor Castillo of Venezuela with a leap of 8.05 meters, his first and the only leap over eight meters in the competition. Chile's Daniel Pineda was second and David Registe of Dominica third.