LIMA, August 8, 2019 - Venezuelan fencer Rubén Limardo seemed to be agonizing in his fight against the Cuban Yunior Reytor. He won the individual sword semifinal, but he had never looked so vulnerable. He had a limp and an injury in the elbow which limited his movements, each point against stoking the pain he tried to numb until hours before the fencing competition. His experience gave him the advantage, but the ailments prevented him from mastering the careo and his rival did, 45 seconds from the end.

His discomfort was visible, but the 2012 London Olympic champion was motivated by his opponent who was waiting for him at the side of the pedal to star in a historic final.

The clock started to count down a minute. The first one to score will win the opportunity to fight for gold. The previous semifinal was defined in the same way and its winner observed them very carefully, eager to meet his new rival.

Meanwhile, Rubén returned to combat, dodged a couple of attacks and near the end he achieved the golden point. Scream and jump of emotion. The fencer, who was watching him from a corner and will now face him in the final, fell to his knees and applauded him as soon as he caught his breath. His name is Jesus and he is the smallest of the Limardo brothers.

The emotion of both Venezuelans surprised the public. There was no rivalry at that moment. They were happy and clearly relieved. The most difficult task has already been done. Both made history, never before have brothers met in a fencing final in the Panamerican fair.

Regardless of the outcome, Venezuela's national anthem will rumble at the Lima Convention Center and Venezuelans will have a third gold medal and a third silver medal. What remains to be seen is which of the Limardos will climb to the top of the podium.

The doubt of competing against his brother took over Ruben's moment, but his instinct of Olympic champion prevailed. It showed its experience and did not flinch before the irreverence of Jesus. Starting the fight by apologizing and a warning that you will not give anything away, you will fight until the end. And so it is, it went unpunished 15-8 to secure its third gold medal in the Pan American Games.

And no, it is not a matter of being alone with glory, it is rather the need to give an important lesson to the smallest of the house.

“It is difficult as a brother and as a father, because since my mother died, who is behind the boys is me. Your heart is very small and you say to yourself, well you already have Pan American games, will it be? ... But, honestly, I think that the message I gave him is more important, he has to fight until the end and put heart in  to get where he wants, ”said the man born in Ciudad Bolívar, who could not stop celebrating the growth of his child.

“I am proud of my brother, I made an eighth individual in my first Pan-Americans and won a team silver medal. My brother is showing that he is up to it. With this there are already two finals in which we met, the first was in the Pan American championship a month and a half ago, ”he recalled.

For his part, Jesus, 11 years younger than the London medalist, exhibits his silver medal to those who see him as the future of Venezuelan fencing. His face - still red from so much crying - expresses respect and admiration for Rubén, but also hints that pay back will come. Despite the defeat, he confessed to being happy about giving two presents to Venezuela.

"After the semifinal the goal was already met, we secured two medals for our country that was the most important thing. Of course I wanted gold, but my brother is an experienced shooter, he took the advantage, went back and it made it difficult for me. I'll have the opportunity to redeem myself, "he said smiling.

Closely, Francisco, the middle brother, observed them happily, without being able to hide his happiness, especially because of the great performance of Jesus, who in his eyes will be the next Venezuelan fencer with an Olympic medal.

“I am proud of my brothers, especially the baby (Jesus) who showed a lot of grit. No doubt he is going to do great things like Ruben has done, my mother said that if one could do it, the others could do it too. Rubén conquered his Olympic medal and I am sure that Jesus will do it soon. He is very young, he has Tokyo soon, and if it is not there it will be Paris 2024, but I am sure he will do it, ”he said clearly excited.

The happiness of the Limardo family is felt throughout Lima and is shared in Venezuela. They have written an unforgettable chapter in the history of the Pan American Games.

Steel warrior

Rubén Limardo, a benchmark in fencing since London 2012, has dealt with several injuries in recent years and has become accustomed to fighting soreness. On a few occasions, the internal struggle waged by the Guayanés is made public in order to be able to go up to each fight. His ailments have prevented him from training as he should and many times they have made him think about stepping aside. In these Pan-American games, the situation was no different.

"I did not want to participate because of the discomfort and injuries, but later I convinced myself that I had to fight and the coach urged me to do it, I knew that when I got on that track I would forget everything," said Ruben, he confessed that he even suggested his brother Francisco took his place.

"God knows what he does," he said smiling, trying to hide the ailments that had kept him completely away from the sword in the last two weeks.

“When I left the World Cup, I dropped everything and just kept doing some rehabilitation and exercise. Just yesterday (Sunday) I grabbed the sword, tried the training and told the teacher: I feel good, let's see what comes out tomorrow…. Fortunately, everything was more than good, ”he added almost incredulously.

Rubén will continue to recover from the multiple injuries that afflict him with a view to seeking, with his brothers, a medal in Tokyo 2020, because right before his eyes the Limardo dynasty is just beginning.