FRED VILLALOBOS: “WE’RE PROVING THAT PERU HAS GUTS”

He could not hide his joy. He shared a never-ending hug with Yuliana Bolívar, the Pan American medalist who attended his match. Fred Villalobos reached the Parapan American podium for judo and had the audience of VIDENA’s Sports Center 3 on the edge of their seats. 

“Let’s all play, that’s the first thing I’d like to say, but what’s most important is how happy I am for this achievement. It doesn’t matter if I achieved it, what matters is what has been achieved,” said the Para athlete , who participated for the first time in this competition for people with visual impairment.

Villalobos feels like he has achieved the main goal: reaching the podium. “It was part of the plan. We knew that many of my contenders were Olympic champions but I wasn’t going to let them knock me down. The judoka from the US was strong and I had to hold him on the ground, that was the mission,” he added

He also said that “the psychological aspect is very important, but we can’t overlook the physical and spiritual part, it’s a trinomial that can help a person be complete as a human being.”

The 28-year-old was born in Lima but lived in Arequipa since he was a child, due to his father’s work.  In this city, he went to school and university, where he studied Law and discovered judo as an extracurricular activity. “I’ve been practicing judo for four years. That’s where my passion for this sport began. Since last year, I’ve been practicing it professionally. It used to be a hobby, and now I’m here,” he stated.

“We’re over 139 athletes in 17 sports. We’ve already won some medals and there will be many more to come, proving that Peru has guts. We’ve also demonstrated that we can organize Pan American and Parapan American Games and, in the near future, the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he added

Still excited about the medal, Fred concluded with an emotional message. “All I’m saying is that it is possible, and that the ‘Arriba Peru” should be in each of our hearts. Don’t get disheartened; we all fall, but like good athletes, we know how to get back up. Only you limit yourself. We need to keep moving forward; let this be an example of persistence.”