This was exciting. The surf competitions finished on Sunday with the medal ceremonies for the winners of the different modalities, including the Peruvian surfers who obtained many medals and gave Peru the seventh gold medal. 

The Surf High Performance Center (CAR) at Punta Rocas beach gathered thousands of fans who got excited with each wave ridden by the Peruvian team and Luca Mesinas the last Peruvian representative in winning the gold medal, the third one in a day. All this after the Surf Open men’s final meant his qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.  

Martin Vizcarra, the President of Peru, was in charge of awarding Luca and Leandro Usuna from Argentina (silver medal) and Brian Pérez from El Salvador (bronze medal). 

The medal ceremony was full of emotion from the public who inspired by the Peruvian flags also cheered up the gold medal won by Daniella Rosas. The medal was awarded by the Lima 2019, Organizing Committee President, Carlos Neuhaus. 

At 17, the young athlete was also able to qualify for next year Olympics. Benoit “Piccolo” Clemente also received a well-deserved gold medal in Longboard from the Peruvian head of state before an excited crow at the Surf High Performance Center at Punta Rocas. 

The head of state also awarded silver and bronze medals in these competitions to Julian Schweizer from Uruguay and Cole Robins from the US. 

It was also exciting to see medals ceremonies for silver medalists María Fernanda Reyes in this discipline and Tamil Martino and Vania Torres in stand up paddle men and women. 

 Itzel Delgadowho obtained a bronze medal in stand up paddle. This was a Sunday full of Peruvian pride since we went up the ranking. 23 medals ( 7 gold, 6 silver and 10 bronze) 

If you still do not have a Lima 2019 souvenir, you can now choose your favorite item at the Organizing Committee stand during Culturaymi, the cultural program of the Pan American Games currently being held at Parque de la Exposición in Cercado de Lima. 

The weather in Lima is quite cold these days. To fight it, there is nothing better than a hot cup of coffee served in the Lima 2019 mugs. They come in two sizes, both in red and blue. If you are still feeling cold, you can buy a windbreaker or the chullo-scarf, a two-in-one garment. They come in gray and black. 

The wide array of souvenirs also includes caps, towels and hypoallergenic stuffed toys of Milco, the Games mascot, as well as backpacks and 500 ml water bottles. Any of these will make a lasting memento of this sports event. 

Other merch on sale includes the tasty ‘Milco’ 90-gram chocolate bar, produced with Peruvian cacao, and colorful keyrings of our lovable mascot in various sports disciplines. Of course, pins and magnets are also available, making ideal gifts for friends and family. 

Fans are gathering at the Games merch stand to buy the items still missing in their Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games memorabilia collection. 

Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra highlighted that organizing and carrying out the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games was an immense challenge that was finally overcome.  

A cheering crowd chanted “We can do it” during the opening of new road infrastructure at Avenida La Esperanza, joining former Fundo Barbadillo and Valle Amauta, in the district of Ate Vitarte. The president replied by saying, “Of course we can!” and recalled when “two or three years ago, pessimists would tell us that we wouldn’t be able to carry out the Games. They’d say, ‘We can’t do it.’”  

He stressed that the Government and the people have shown that it is possible. “When there is determination, honesty and transparency, we can do it,” he insisted.  

Meanwhile, he explained that Peruvians can take pride and feel satisfied with Lima 2019 for two reasons, both in terms of public management and sporting achievements.  

“First, because this shows that we can carry out a world-class competition. Not only those athletes competing, but also those who came to watch the competitions. They’re amazed by the quality of the sports premises.” 

He also remarked that, although the Pan American Games are about to end, all the infrastructure built will remain for the people, in order to continue working and promoting sports. “Besides, these Pan American Games have brought us the pride of seeing Peruvian men and women who compete and keep winning medals day after day.”  

Finally, he reflected upon the record number of medals claimed by Peru at Lima 2019 compared to the previous Games, Toronto 2015. He stressed that this achievement reflects the unity and drive of all Peruvians.  

“Only four years ago, at the previous Pan American Games, Peruvian athletes made a huge effort, yet they only managed 12 medals. We already overtook that number, and there’s still more to come, so we’ll end up with more than 20, even 30 medals on this occasion. This means we are improving because we are working together. There are no limits for us if we keep working together.”  

Now he has made history after clinching the gold medal at Lima 2019 and qualifying for the Olympic Games. 

The life of Luca Mesinas has always been linked to the sea. He learned how to surf in his hometown, Máncora, and has not stopped ever since.

Now aged 23, the surfer from Piura has made history after winning the gold medal in the main surfing event: Open surfing. This medal has ensured that Mesinas will participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which will feature surfing for the first time.

The Peruvian surfer faced a dramatic competition for the gold against Argentinian Leandro Osuna. The latter fought until the very last wave, but was ultimately unable to outperform he Peruvian.

Mesinas claimed the seventh gold medal for Peru in the Pan American Games so far; the country’s medal tally has now reached 23 in the most important multi-sports event in the Americas. This figure is far higher than Peru’s medal count in past similar competitions.

She is only 17 and now she will have the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games. Daniela Rosas won the gold medal in the women's open surfing event, the main women's competition. 

Trained by the world champion surfer Sofía Mulanovich, Daniela won the gold in a dramatic final that was decided in the last wave. 

Rosas won the sixth gold medal for Peru after beating a more experienced surfer, Ecuadorian Dominic Barona, who believed she had already won the gold medal at one point. 

By winning the open surfing event, Daniela Rosas obtained the quota place for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and joined the Peruvian athletes who have already qualified, such as Cristhian Pacheco in marathon, Alessandro de Souza Ferreira and Nicolás Pacheco in shooting, Stefano Peschiera in sailing, Kimberly García and Mary Luz Andía in race walking. 

With Daniela Rosas' gold medal, Peru's medal tally at Lima 2019 has reached 22. 

Benoit ‘Piccolo’ Clemente, proud Lima 2019 ambassador, made history winning the first gold medal for Peru in surfing.

‘Piccolo’ Clemente confirmed he was the favorite to win gold for Peru, by giving a surf master class in the longboard event.

The Lima 2019 ambassador defeated the Uruguayan Julian Schweizer at the grand final and took the gold medal in a competition attended by the President of Peru Martín Vizcarra and thousands of fans.

With this medal, Peru adds a fifth gold medal to its count. Gladys Tejeda and Christian Pacheco in marathon; Diego Elias in squash, also a Lima 2019 ambassador, and Natalia Cuglievan in water ski won the previous four. Peru has collected 21 medals so far in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

A LIFE IN SYNC WITH THE SEA

Although he was born in Cajamarca, the surfer Benoit ‘Piccolo’ Clemente has become a dear son of Trujillo, where he has been living since he was a child and where he started practicing water sports at the age of seven.

At the age of 12 he won his first competition. Then, he went to Lima to improve his skills and he qualified to the highest longboard category. Only a year later he became world champion in China, a title he confirmed in Huanchaco.

"I’ve represented Peru in many different countries, and I can tell that there are amazing beaches in our coastline, where you can easily surf, such as Huanchaco, Helio, Chicama, Máncora, Lobitos, Órganos, the Costa Verde in Lima and Punta Rocas (Lima 2019 venue)," he said.

María Fernanda Reyes picked up the sixth silver medal for Peru in the surfing final, held in Punta Rocas.

The Peruvian athlete reached the second place after being beaten by Brazilian Chloe Calmon, who scored more points in the final round.

The new silver earned by “Mafer” Reyes is the sixth out of the 20 medals so far claimed by Peru in this international competition, which brings together the best athletes in the Americas.

A LIFE CONNECTED TO THE SEA

Maria Fernanda Reyes' life has been linked to the sea since she was born. Maria Fernanda has been surfing since she was five years old. Makaha beach in Miraflores became her second home. Something that shocked everyone was the fact that she surfed without knowing how to swim.

“Mafer” smiles as she tells us her story. Now, her performance at Lima 2019 has drawn smiles on our faces as well. She remembers learning to swim at Makaha beach and at Terrazas Club with the help of some members who have known her since she was little.

“Surfing has given me many opportunities to travel and learn about new cultures. Until I was 13 years old, I'd never traveled to the north. My coach took me to Máncora in Piura. I fell in love with that place. It´s paradise,” she recalled.

Peru added its 19th medal thanks to the surf competition. Peruvian athlete Tamil Martino won silver in men’s SUP surfing.

The Peruvian athlete had a great performance as he qualified early in the morning to the final at the repechage stage. Later, in the final for the gold medal, Martino had a tough competition against Colombian Giorgio Gómez, who finally took the gold home.

With this medal won by Tamil Martino, Peru collects its fifth silver. Other silvers were conquered by Marcela Castillo and Hugo del Castillo in taekwondo, Kimberly García in race walk, and Vania Torres in surf. Peru has collected 19 medals so far during Lima 2019, and historical mark for the country in the Pan American Games

HIS BOARD, HIS DEAREST FRIEND

Tamil Martino said that he was always in contact with the sea, and surfing has been a part of his life since he was 11, when he received his first board. “Those were my beginnings,” he said.

He mentioned his uncle Alonso, who was surfer, was the one that inspired him and that he taught him the first secret of this sport.

Peruvian Vania Torres fought until the end to catch a good wave, but she was only awarded silver in SUP surfing. This competition took place at Punta Rocas beach.

The Peruvian athlete lost the final to Colombian Isabella Gómez, who qualified from the repechage.

This is the fourth silver medal for Peru, after the one obtained by Marcela Castillo and Hugo del Castillo in taekwondo and Kimberly García in race walking.

Vania Torres ended up crying after not winning the gold in front of the hundreds of Peruvians who cheered on her at all times.

The traditional cajon performance of the 12th International Cajon and Percussion Festival, “Rafael Santa Cruz”, took place yesterday as part of Culturaymi. It was attended by thousands of participants among amateur and professional musicians who performed many Peruvian rhythms.

Milco, the Lima 2019 Pan American Games official mascot, was the guest of honor at this emblematic meeting. He shone brightly at the Fun Fest stage of Parque de la Exposición and impressed the audience. Through a tutorial posted on social media, Milco showed a sequence of panalivio, landó, afro and festejo rhythm patterns, genres that were performed last night.

The participants of the great cajon performance listened carefully to Cris Aquije’s instructions. He introduced the percussionists Edu Campos, Eduardo Balcázar, Pepe Santa Cruz, Andree Liendo, Cata Robles and Jair Santa Cruz (Rafael’s son). All these performers, as well as Marco Oliveros, Leslie Patten, and Rocío Nicasio, guided the participants to play synchronously.

Kimbafá and Ensamble Perú Fusión dance crews brought along a surprise to the festival by performing at the stands of the amphitheater.

The public attendance to Culturaymi is increasing, there were almost 16,000 people last Saturday at the cultural festival. Culturaymi offers an attractive cultural and entertainment program, alongside the Pan American Games, drawing the attention of various spectators. Culturaymi, and all its activities, is completely free of charge.

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