EFRAÍN SOTACURO WINS BRONZE MEDAL AT LIMA 2019

Although it was originally announced that Lima 2019 ambassador Efraín Sotacuro had won a silver medal for Peru in Para athletics, a sport that is bringing great joy to Peru, the Peruvian ended up receiving the bronze medal due to a sanction appeal by Brazilian Yagonny Reís de Souza.

Sotacuro will be on the podium anyway, even though the Brazilian's appeal was accepted. The day before, the Brazilian Para athlete had been disqualified and lost the second place, which was awarded to the Peruvian. Reis de Souza reclaimed the silver medal and Sotacuro was given the bronze.

It is worth recalling that, in a dramatic competition settled in the last few meters, the Para athlete born in Huancavelica and living in Huancayo was able to reach the podium by crossing the finish line in third place, winning the bronze medal in the 1500m, T46 category (Para athletes with physical impairment in the upper limbs).

The Lima 2019 ambassador was leading the race at times, even though he is not a specialist in this distance but in the marathon. For example, he ran the marathon at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where he ended up fourth among the best Para athletes in the world.

In the 1500m race, held at the modern track of the Athletics Stadium, Peruvians Carlos Sangama and Piter Ticllasuca also participated, placing fifth and sixth, respectively. The winner was Chilean Mauricio Orrego; another Chilean, Ignacio Sepúlveda, finished forth. Sotacuro and Sepúlveda fiercely fought for the third place; as they were reaching the finish line, Sotacuro managed to overtake the Chilean with the support of all Peruvians present at the Stadium.

Peru now a total of five medals, including this bronze medal won by Sotacuro, and the silver medals claimed by Carlos Felipa and Luis Sandoval in Para athletics and Jorge Arcela in Para shooting, and the bronze medal won by Fred Villalobos in judo.

TICKETS ON SALE

To watch these brilliant Para athletes in action at the Parapan American Games, you can purchase your tickets starting at PEN 10. In addition, there is a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with impairments. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices at VIDENA (Gate 1 and Gate 10) and in the 11 authorized points of sale across Lima.

You can also get your tickets at the Lima 2019 website: lima2019.pe/tickets, where you will also find the detailed competition schedules. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since spectators can show their e-tickets from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue.