Colombian Olympian Jorge Hugo Giraldo took the all-around gold medal Tuesday at the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games, taking place this week in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Colombian Olympian Jorge Hugo Giraldo held off his Puerto Rican rivals to win the all-around title Tuesday at the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games, taking place this week in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Giraldo, 30, prevented Puerto Rico from taking a second gold at the gymnastics hall in Hormigueros, south of Mayagüez. Top qualifier Luis Rivera, 23, settled for the silver ahead of teammate Luis Vargas, 27.

Rivera, 14th all-around at the 2008 Olympics, jumped to the top of the board early, earning the evening's only score above 15 on floor exercise. He held a comfortable lead of nearly a point going into the fifth rotation. Giraldo took advantage on parallel bars, however, outscoring Rivera by a full point.

After five rotations, Rivera held a slim lead over Giraldo, 75.131-75.065. But after the Colombian put up the second-highest mark of the night on high bar (14.766), Rivera's 13.966 wasn't enough to win.

Puerto Rican coach Jose Colon filed a protest over Rivera's score to no avail.

"I did a good performance," Rivera told the Puerto Rican press. "To have been injured a few months ago, I think I did very well. I'm a medalist among the best all-arounders in this region and I have nothing to envy Giraldo, because he fought like an Olympian."

Vargas, a 2004 Olympian, was hindered by a 13.500 on pommel horse. He finished well with the highest score of the night on high bar (14.966), and said he was happy with his performance in his final Central American Games.

"It's a very big emotion I haven't felt before," said the former Penn State standout. "I'm very satisfied with my work, and personal satisfaction is more important than first, fifth or sixth. It was a tremendous competition. An Olympic final. Three Olympic finalists together."

The three gymnasts on the podium were the same as at the previous Central American Games in Cartagena, Colombia. Four years ago, Vargas won the title, with Rivera finishing second and Giraldo third.

The gymnastics competition continues Wednesday evening with the women's all-around final. Elsa Garcia, who led Mexico to the team title Monday, will need to hold off 2008 Olympians Jessica Lopez (Venezuela) and Nathalia Sanchez (Colombia) if she is to defend her title from 2006.

External Link: Official Event Website

XXI Central American and Caribbean Games
July 27, Hormigueros, Puerto Rico

Men's All-Around Final			FX	PH	SR	VT	PB	HB	Total
1.	Jorge Giraldo		14.066	15.133	15.000	15.700	15.166	14.766	89.831
2.	Luis Rivera		15.066	14.700	15.166	16.033	14.166	13.966	89.097
3.	Luis Vargas		14.400	13.500	14.800	15.433	15.200	14.966	88.299
4.	José Fuentes		13.466	14.400	14.733	15.200	14.800	14.466	87.065
5.	Didier Lugo		13.366	14.066	14.833	15.366	14.366	14.233	86.230
6.	Daniel Corral		14.400	13.433	13.800	15.933	14.533	13.800	85.899
7.	Santiago López		14.733	13.733	13.533	15.933	13.000	13.833	84.765
8.	Jhony Parra		13.333	12.933	13.366	15.100	13.633	12.433	80.798
9.	Mynor Juárez		12.900	11.866	12.633	14.633	13.933	13.233	79.198
10.	Oscar Cañas		12.733	13.666	12.633	13.266	12.366	12.466	77.130
11.	Tarik Soto		12.366	10.700	13.133	14.166	11.700	11.966	74.031
12.	Jesús De León		13.300	10.733	11.333	15.300	11.433	11.900	73.999
13.	Audrys Nin		12.133	7.866	11.900	13.233	12.900	11.466	69.498
14.	Pablo Velázquez		11.233	10.100	11.666	14.866	10.433	10.900	69.198
15.	Mario Picón		9.766	9.500	10.233	13.600	9.900	9.700	62.699

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