The Monterrey 2021 Pan American and Parapan American Championships and Continental Qualifying Tournament for Tokyo Olympics recently concluded. Nicholas D’Amour of St. Thomas finished 9th overall in the ranking round with a score of 645. He went on to finish 7th in the Pan American and Parapan American Championships and 5th in the Continental Qualifying Tournament for Tokyo Olympics.
In the quarterfinals, six countries — Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — competed for three Olympic spots. The quarter-finals were as follows:
- Andres Aguilar, Chile versus Ricardo Soto, Chile
- Andres Pila, Colombia versus Hugo Franco, Cuba
- Luis Alvarez, Mexico versus Jose Alvarez, Ecuador
- Nicholas D’Amour, U.S. Virgin Islands versus Jorge Enriquez, Colombia
After two decisive wins in the earlier rounds against Guatemala (6-0) and Colombia (6-2), he competed against the eventual winner Jorge Enriquez of Colombia in the quarterfinals. He lost an extremely close match 6-4, finishing 5th overall.
D’Amour’s quest for a spot at the Tokyo Olympics is not over. He will compete at the final qualifying event in Paris at Stage 3 of the World Cup on June 21.
Before going to Paris, D’Amour will compete at the European Grand Prix in Antalya, Turkey, then Stage 1 of the World Cup in Guatemala City. He will be the only competitor from the Americas at the European Grand Prix. Both events are in April of this year.
In May, he will compete in the World Ranking Event and Qualifier for the Pan American Junior Games in Medellin, Colombia, and Stage 2 of the World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland.
D’Amour has also received a special invitation by Pan American Sports to participate in a training camp in Medellin, Colombia, immediately after the Qualifier for the Pan American Junior Games.