ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, February 10, 2025.- Two wildcats have been chosen to represent the energy, passion, and spirit of perseverance of the more than 4,000 athletes who will take part in the most important youth sports celebration on the continent.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña.
A new era has begun! On February 10, at the iconic Port of Asunción, the official presentation of the mascots for the Junior Pan American Games ASU2025 took place.
The event was filled with excitement and was attended by the country’s top authorities, including the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña; Minister of Sports, César Ramírez Caje; President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and IOC member, Camilo Pérez López Moreira; General Director of ASU2025, Victor Pecci; Deputy General Director of ASU2025, Larissa Schaerer; national athletes, members of the press, influencers, and the stars of the night, the official mascots.
“Today, we take another step toward the Games that will be a milestone for our country. Tito and Tika embody the energy, passion, and spirit of perseverance of our athletes. We hope that people will feel represented by them and welcome them with open arms”, said Camilo Pérez López Moreira, President of the Olympic Committee and IOC member.
The official mascot is the soul of every Games, representing the essence, culture, and history of the host city. It serves as a cultural ambassador, bringing together the country’s residents, athletes, delegations, volunteers, and everyone who chooses to be part of the event. That’s why each edition introduces a unique mascot that aims to leave a lasting legacy.
“The official mascots connect us with our essence, our wildlife, and the fighting spirit of every athlete coming to ASU2025”, expressed Larissa Schaerer, Deputy General Director of ASU2025.
Tirika, the beloved mascot of the 2022 Odesur Games and the current official representative of Team Paraguay, went on a scouting mission across the country in search of new talent for ASU2025. After countless adventures, a few stumbles, and a nostalgic journey back to Chaco, he found the perfect candidates: Tito and Tika, two wildcats with an unmistakable spark and attitude that only he could recognize.
His sharp feline instincts left no room for doubt, they were the chosen ones. These two are not only full of energy but also fully committed, eager to have a great time, and with hearts already beating for the Games.
Tito and Tika, the ASU2025 rookies, are the yin and yang
Tito loves to have fun, but at the same time, he keeps an eye on everything. If something isn’t right or if he sees Tika about to get into trouble, he’s there, taking charge and making sure their mischief doesn’t get out of hand. He is responsible, careful, and knows how to restore order when things get a little chaotic.
Tika, on the other hand, doesn’t worry too much about limits. She has that mischievous spark that leads her to do unpredictable yet fun things, keeping everyone on their toes and wondering what she’ll come up with next.
Both share the same physical abilities, they can practice all sports, are agile, know how to dance, and enjoy social media.
The Smallest Feline of the Chaco
The official mascots embody a mix of cleverness, adventure, and mischief, inspired by a characteristic animal of the Paraguayan Chaco: The Leopardus guttulus, or wildcat, commonly known as the tiríka. This small feline inhabits jungles, tropical and subtropical forests, ranging from sea level up to 4,500 meters in altitude.
Its distribution is limited to the central and eastern regions of the Neotropics in South America, covering countries such as Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. The tiríka is a solitary and nocturnal animal but also shows a significant amount of activity during the day.
There are three species of this feline: Leopardus geoffroyi (the species chosen for the Junior Pan American Games mascots), Leopardus guttulus, and Leopardus wiedii. Unfortunately, the latter two species are endangered due to illegal capture for the fur trade.
Road to ASU2025
With the unveiling of its Official Mascots, ASU2025 solidifies itself as an event that goes beyond sports. The countdown has begun, and each day brings us closer to the continent’s biggest youth sports gathering.
ASU2025 is already in motion. From August 9 to 23, more than 4,000 athletes from across the continent will compete in 28 sports and 42 disciplines. But before the official opening, we will feel the pulse of the Games month by month, unveiling key elements of this major sporting event.
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