Brazil's Elias, who reached a career-high world ranking of 10 in January of this year, beat Heredia 3-0 to top the podium.

Colombian Juan Felipe Tovar Pérez and Argentina's Roberto Luciano Pezzota both took bronze.

Catalina Pelaez Casasfranco won an all-Colombian final to claim gold in the women's tournament as she ousted team-mate Laura Viviana Tovar Pérez 3-1.

The bronze medals were shared by Maria Paula Tovar Pérez of Colombia and Paraguay's Lujan Palacios.

Elsewhere at the multi-sport event, Natalia Gaudio led a Brazilian one-two in the rhythmic gymnastics hoop competition.

Gaudio produced a superb routine which was rewarded with 15.900 points.

Her team-mate Bárbara Domingos, who did enough for the silver medal as she finished a full point adrift in second.

Bronze went to Lina Marcela Dussan Orozco of Colmbia, who scored 14.050 points.

There was further success for Brazil in table tennis as their men's and women's squads clinched the team titles 

Brazil's men recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Chile in the final, while Brazil's women beat the same opponents 3-2.

Argentina and Paraguay were the recipients of the bronze medals in the men's tournament, while Colombia and Venezuela claimed bronze in the women's event.

Athletics action at the South American Games is due to begin tomorrow.