Monday proved to be a golden day for Mexico and an extra special one for Tapatia Cynthia Valdez, who won a gold medal on home soil in the rhythmic gymnastics hoop routine. Meanwhile, the U.S.-Brazil rivalry in the pool continued.

Mexico climbed to third place in the Pan American Games medal rankings after picking up four golds, but still lagged some way behind the United States and Brazil, whose rivalry in the pool continued.

Three golds for Mexico came in the squash competition, as well the gold for Valdez in rhythmic gymnastics.

U.S. gymnast Julie Zetlin had to be satisfied with the hoop silver medal but won her second gold in the ball routine.

In the pool, Brazil and the United States shared the honors with two golds apiece.

On the U.S. side, Gillian Ryan won the 400 meters freestyle and Ann Chandler the 100 meters breaststroke. Thiago Pereiera of Brazil won the 100 meters backstroke and Leonardo De Deus the 200 meters butterfly, but not without some controversy. De Deus was on the point of being disqualified after a sharp-eyed official noted that the logo on his cap was larger then the size permitted by the Pan American Games committee. After a 20-minute consultation, the result stood and the Brazilian swimmer received his medal.

In other sports, Matthew Rawlings and Emily Caruso won the men's and women's 10-meter air rifle for the United States.

Canada's Melissa Pagnotta defeated Paige McPherson of the United States for gold in taekwondo 67-kilogram category.

After three days of competition the United States has 43 medals (16 gold, 16 silver 11 bronze), Brazil 21 (9, 5, 7), Mexico 19 (6, 5, 8), Colombia 11 (5, 3, 3), Argentina 8 (4, 2, 2) and Canada 18 (3, 5, 10).