Hopes of Canadian success had been dampened in yesterday's semi-final as Jamaica's Rasheed Dwyer had broken the 44-year-old Pan American Games record to qualify fastest for the final in 19.80sec.

Dwywer ran a blistering bend to lead the final into the home straight and look on course for gold, only for Panama's Alonso Edwards and the home favourite De Grasse to start making inroads into the Jamaican's lead in the home straight.

De Grasse's 100m speed was in evidence again as he drew level with Dwyer before the line, with his dip seeing him claim the victory and becoming the first Canadian to break the 20 seconds barrier, finishing in 19.88.

Dwyer was awarded silver ahead Edwards after a photo-finish as the pair had both crossed in 19.90.

"It's amazing, it feels so unreal right now," De Grasse, a 20-year-old from nearby Markham, said. 

"I can't believe I did it, somehow I just managed to pull it off.

"I'm really happy about this."

A second Canadian athletics gold of the day was claimed by Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Christabel Netty as her effort of 6.90 metres was enough to see her win women's long jump gold ahead of the Bahamas' Bianca Stewart, who managed 6.69m.

The morning session of the athletics had also seen a confusion reign in the men's 110m hurdles final as America's David Oliver crossed the line fastest in 13.18, only for a false start to have the race result annulled and re-run 20 minutes later.

Oliver was unfazed by the incident as he produced a stunning performance in the second staging of the final, setting a Pan American Games record of 13.07, while Mikel Thomas of Trinidad and Tobago and Shane Brathwaite of Barbados set personal best times of 13.17 and 13.21 respectively to complete the podium.

A rising star of American sprinting also made the step up to the top of the Pan American Games podium, as 17-year-old Kaylin Whitney powered to victory in the women's 200m final.

The reigning world junior champion was pressured by her team mate Kyra Jefferson in the closing stages but crossed home 0.06 seconds ahead of her compatriot to take the title in 22.65.

In one of the least surprising results of the the two athletics sessions to take place Cuba's Pedro Pichardo, who has the longest jump in the world this year at 18.08m, secured the men's triple jump gold in 17.54m, with Bahamas' Leevan Sands some way adrift in silver after posting 16.99m.

One of the stars of racquetball also delivered on the 14th day of competition in Toronto as triple gold medallist at Guadalajara 2011, Mexico's Paola Longoria defended her women's singles title, beating Bolivian-born Argentinian Maria Vargas 2-0.

She then joined forces with Samantha Salas to retain their women's doubles title.

The pair could add to their gold medals in tomorrow's team event.

The opening night of boxing finals proved to be a fruitful one for Cuba as they secured half of the gold medals on offer at the Oshawa Sports Centre.

Andy Cruz and Arlen Lopez were unanimous winners on points in the men's under 56 kilogram bantamweight and under 75kg middleweight division.

Their triumphs were added to by Erislandy Savon, one of the stars of this year's World Series of Boxing, as he claimed the men's under 91kg heavyweight title with a 2-1 split decision victory over Colombia's Deivis Julio Blanco.

At the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House, Venezuela were able to gain revenge for a defeat in the women's team epee gold medal match earlier in the day to the United States, by beating them in the men's final.

However the United States were able to celebrate women's hockey success as they defended their title from Guadalajara 2011 by beating Argentina 2-1 in the final, while hosts Canada beat Chile 1-0 to claim bronze. 

Brazil also overcame Argentina in a final to claim gold in women's handball, 25-20.

Related stories
July 2015: Warner breaks Pan American Games and Canadian decathlon records to claim Toronto 2015 gold
July 2015: De Grasse delivers Canadian 100m glory while United States enjoy golden day at Toronto 2015
July 2015: Mexican pair fight back to win Toronto 2015 men's beach volleyball gold
July 2015: Brazil and US win in table tennis as Canada sparkle in athletics at Toronto 2015
July 2015: Canada overwhelm United States to claim first ever Pan American Games basketball title