There was a lot of expectation at the VIDENA Aquatic Center, and with good reason. Dunia Felices was competing in her first final at the Parapan American Games, and the public was captivated from start to end. Lima 2019 Ambassador lived up to that support, and gave her best to beat her personal best. 

Dunia finished sixth with a time of 52.23 seconds, beating her prior best of 53.38, which qualified her to the biggest multi-sports event in the Americas. The athlete from Ayacucho was moved by the unconditional support received and thanked everyone for coming. 

“I'm happy for having participated in such an important event. I made some nervous mistakes, but I still have the 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 200m freestyle events ahead. Beating my time was one of my main goals and I hope to keep on doing it in the other competitions,” said the Para swimmer. 

Dunia will be back in action on Wednesday at 09:00, when she competes in the 100m freestyle S5 qualifying heats. Get your tickets with prices starting at PEN 10, and do not miss Dunia’s competitions. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be purchased at the VIDENA ticket offices and at the 11 authorized booths located around the city. 

Tickets can be also purchased online through 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 customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue. 

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Gustavo Fernández’s dreams were always related to tennis, even from a very young age in his hometown Río Tercero (Córdoba). At age 6, when he barely understood that a spinal stroke caused him to be paralyzed from the waist down, he did not hesitate to challenge able-bodied players while in his wheelchair. He was not doing well, but adversity forged his competitive character. 

Today, at age 25, he is considered the best wheelchair tennis player in the world. He arrived at Lima 2019 to claim his fourth consecutive gold and qualify for Tokyo 2020. In fact, “Gusti” is having his best season in the world circuit after consecutively winning the Grand Slam tournaments Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. 

“This has been an unforgettable year. I’m enjoying the moment but also pushing myself to keep winning more tournaments. Living my passion for tennis makes me very happy. I was lucky I found people who is by my side in this challenging circuit and keep me determined,” said “Gusti” Fernández in an interview for Lima 2019. 

This morning, the current Parapan American champion made it to the individual semifinals, after defeating Brazilian Gustavo Carneiro 6-0 at the Club Lawn Tennis de la Exposición. This Wednesday, he will compete to qualify for the finals. 

“Winning gold at the Paralympic Games has always been one of my biggest dreams, and Lima 2019 is a step closer to achieve it. I will keep doing my best to take home more medals. Being recognized as just another tennis player is something that already makes me proud, and that's invaluable,” said Fernández. 

BUY YOUR TICKETS 

To see this outstanding wheelchair tennis player in action, get your tickets with prices starting at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets are available only in the ticket booths located off of the main entrance at Lawn Tennis (Av. 28 de julio) and in the 11 Teleticket points of sale. 

Tickets can be also purchased online through 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 customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue. 

Photo Gallery (click here)

We had a day full of speed, suspense, but above all self-improvement. This was the first day of competition at the VIDENA velodrome.

During one of the hardest competitions, the men’s 1 km time trial C1-5, the Parapan American record was broken three times.

“I’m very excited. I gave my best to win and I’m very glad I was able to share the podium with my team,” said Joseph Berenyi from the USA, who took the gold medal and clocked a time of 1:05:945, a new Parapan American record in C3 category (athletes that may have a lower and/or upper limb amputation).

Berenyi shared the podium with his compatriot Christopher Murphy, who claimed the silver medal and set a new Parapan American record in C5 category.

Colombian Edwin Matiz, got the bronze in C5 category. He claimed the silver medal at Toronto 2015 and has not competed since Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“This was a very special competition, as I had just recovered from two injuries. A month ago, I wasn’t sure whether I would compete at the Parapan American Games. It’s very special for me to be here. I felt a little nervous and anxious because my last competition was three years ago, but I always find motivation to improve myself,” said Matiz.

“The Games send a great and inspiring message, as it shows the athletes’ courage and determination, so I’d like to say Let’s All Play,” said the Parapan American medalist, who revealed that he did not expect to break a record, he just wanted to win.

“Respect is one of our main values as athletes, because we all come with the same objective and the same dream,” declared Matiz.

Para cycling events will be held until Tuesday, August 27. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy competitions and cheer on the athletes. Buy your tickets at www.lima2019.pe and in the authorized points of sale.

Children are known by their extreme honesty. And a group of students from the Santa Magdalena Sofia Barat School of La Molina confirmed it. 

Only one word can define their emotions and state of mind during the two-hour tour around the Pan American and Parapan American Village, located in the district of Villa El Salvador: marveled. 

This group of students had the chance to visit the International Zone and were impressed by the attractions of the Casa Perú, lived a mind-blowing virtual experience, and took pictures with the Para athletes at this venue. Lima 2019 was ready to welcome the best Para athletes in the Parapan American Village.  

They also enjoyed the show of the Peruvian National Police trained dogs and had a great time at the entertainment area. 

After the tour, two of the school students summarized this unforgettable experience. First, Joaquín de la Puente was dazzled by Casa Perú and he believed that Para athletes can “overcome any obstacles at these Lima 2019 Parapan American Games”. 

Juan Diego Ferrer was more emphatic about his impressions. When asked what he liked the most there, his had a sounded response: everything. 

“I liked everything: the Casa Perú, the apartments, the entertainment area. I saw myself in the athletes when I saw them playing Play Station (giggles). Obstacles are but an illusion. You can overcome the illusion by seeing the reality. There are things that make us all happy and that helps athletes”, stressed Juan Diego in the wise word of an adult. 

Teacher Jessica Puccinelli considered the students visit to the Parapan American Village a form of awareness campaign on people with an impairment and what they can achieve. Before finishing their visit, students shouted at the same time an encouraging message to the Peruvian delegation in the Parapan American Games: “Let’s all play.” 

After the football 5-a-side match between Peru and Costa Rica, their faces showed the excitement and joy of having experienced, from the stand of Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center, the Peruvian team’s 1-0 win against the Central American team, with a goal from Brayan Bartolo 36 minutes into the match.

The children of the Institución Educativa Nº 6056 Santa Rosa of Villa María del Triunfo showed how happy they were of being a part of the most important multi-sports event in the continent.

The students arrived at the Parapan American Games venue at around 15:00 and were able to enter thanks to the over 35 thousand tickets that were distributed to 57 schools of Metropolitan Lima and Callao, so that they may enjoy the different sports disciplines being contested at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.

The goal of this initiative developed by the Organizing Committee is for young students to live this experience and learn Paralympic values, such as respect, determination and courage, so that they become a part of their daily lives.

María Esther Correa Vilca, general coordinator of the school’s primary education, said that she thinks it is wonderful that the students can experience this type of competition up close, that they can appreciate and admire the effort and perseverance of the Para athletes, as well as understand that there are no limits to reach their goals.

“Lima 2019 is a great opportunity for personal development and growth, and for values like friendship, solidarity and hospitality to be included in their education. Today, these kids are motivated because they have not only learnt that we can organize an event of this magnitude, but also that it is possible to win a medal for our country. These are priceless lessons for their future,” she emphasized. 

Correa added that, for example, during daily classes, the students have that excitement that they brought back with them from the Pan American and Parapan American Games. During classes, as part of the learning process, they include the topic of sports, as well as statistics and information about the delegations that arrived to compete in Peru, among other subjects.

She also highlighted that these Games will leave sports infrastructure that will enable young people and students from Peru to practice sports that they did not know about before: “we mustn't only focus on football and volleyball; there are other disciplines that can be developed. Today, these kids tell me that they’re going to win a medal for Peru when they’re older, and that’s the best legacy of Lima 2019: building citizens that know they can be winners too,” she concluded.

As part of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, the “En sus Marcas, Listos…Inclusión” (on your marks, set... inclusion) Project was relaunched looking for a more inclusive society through the practice of Paralympic sports in the region. 

This project is led by the Agitos Foundation with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the Japanese government, to find new sport talents with some kind of impairment. At the beginning, it only included Peru, Ecuador, El Salvador and Nicaragua, but with this new relaunch, it will include Argentina, Colombia, Chile and the Dominican Republic in the next three years. 

The Peruvian Ambassador in Japan, Sadayuki Tsuchiya, highlighted that his country is very proud for leading this initiative to promote the inclusion of people with impairments and work with Latin American countries that want to change their society. 

He revealed that Japan has contributed around 400 million dollars so far through a special fund, to empower athletes with impairments. 

Meanwhile, the President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons thanked the generosity of the Japanese people for providing financial support that will benefit 400 new athletes with impairments. 

He stressed that these athletes are ambassadors of inclusion and by having the chance to grow, they will show us that they can do incredible things that we cannot even imagine. 

As for the President of the Americas Paralympic Committee, Julio César Ávila, he said that it is very exciting to sign the second stage of the “En sus Marcas, Listos... Inclusión” project, reaching new countries and more people with impairments who will benefit from this opportunity to transform their lives through sport. 

He stated that this could be a tool for social inclusion of great positive impact. 

Furthermore, the Peruvian athlete of Para athletics Jesús Castillo, who is only 15 years old, said that he found sport thank to the project and that he is now very proud to represent Peru in several competitions. 

Meanwhile, the Colombian Para athlete Julián Acosta Méndez stated that being part of the project has been an extraordinary and radical change in his life, that allowed him to represent Colombia with pride and discipline. 

“En sus Marcas, Listos... Inclusión” allows athletes with impairments, with the help of sport managers, to develop their talents and represent their countries at national and international level, achieving great victories. 

Photo Gallery (click here)

The president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, said that Para athlete Carlos Felipa, silver medalist at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, is a sports role model, who is leaving a legacy for the children.

“He’s commendable and praiseworthy. He’s a role model to all the kids, a legacy he is leaving for many children,” stated Neuhaus, after saying Felipa practices multiple sports and is one of Peru’s national heroes.

Neuhaus emphasized that Felipa is an example; he is a father, but he has also dedicated himself enthusiastically to athletics and to defending Peru, and that we will most likely see him at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Afterwards, the members of class 111 of the Peruvian Army’s Chorrillos Military School surprised Felipa at the press conference held at the Lima Convention Center. They entered the room singing the anthem of their institution and congratulated him on his achievement.

They then gave the Para athlete a framed photo of all the members of his military class.

Carlos Felipa won a silver medal after finishing in second place in men’s shot put in the F63 category (Para athletes with a physical impairment who compete using prosthetics, or with a lower limb impairment).

Peace

On his part, the silver medalist thanked his fellow military classmates for this gesture and stated that, like those who defend peace and give their all to the point of risking their lives, Para athletes also do so in these competitions by representing their country.

“We are soldiers fighting for peace and sports give us the opportunity to create new values in our society. I believe Lima 2019 is widening our horizon of opportunities, so that we can instill those values that enrich the country in our children,” Felipa said.

Photo gallery (click here)

He remembers his first connection with sports as if it were yesterday. Mexican Para powerlifting multi-medalist José de Jesús Castillo was only 16 when he was watching the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games in his living room. That fall morning in his hometown Guadalajara, ‘Chuy’ discovered the discipline that would turn him into one of the living images of victory.

Since then, Castillo has devoted his entire time to beating his own records. He is currently competing in the 97 kg category and is the current Parapan American champion, with another two golds claimed at Guadalajara 2011 and Río 2007, though in a different weight category. His perseverance resulted in the Americas Paralympic Committee naming him the best Para athlete in the Americas for the second year in a row.

“It impressed me to see people who had the same physical condition as me doing extraordinary things. I tried other types of Paralympic sports such as Para swimming and Para athletics; however, my destiny was Para powerlifting, and thank God, I've done well,” the 2017 world champion told Lima 2019.

The Mexican powerlifter will compete on Saturday 21 at VIDENA Sports Center 2, seeking an unprecedented fourth gold in a row. Castillo, who also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games, intends to improve his record of 236 kg, which is also the current Parapan American record.

“This is my first time in Lima and I'm eager to do everything right and expect to climb onto the top of the podium. Although my record is high, we will try to surpass it in Lima. We have just competed in the World Championship in Kazakhstan, and depending on how the competition goes, we will try to achieve it if needed,” added ‘Chuy’.

The show is guaranteed with this outstanding Para powerlifting champion. Buy your tickets for his competition, starting at only PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. You can buy the tickets in the ticket offices at VIDENA and the 11 authorized points of sale in Lima.

They can also be bought online at lima2019.pe/tickets, where the competition schedule is detailed. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue.

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.

Team members Erika Inuma, Milagros Cotrina, Jenniffer Mamani, Nicole Pérez, Nicole Pelayo and Diana Flores, under the technical direction of Luis Cabanillas, hope to receive the support of the best fans in the world.  

This Para sport, which is one of the greatest shows of Lima 2019, is designed for people with visual impairment. Each team has three members and they all wear eyeshades that block out their vision completely. 

It is important to note that goalball has been contested at the Parapan American Games since 2011. The ball used weights 1.25 kg and has bells inside that make noise to guide the Para athletes. 

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE 

Fans can still purchase tickets for goalball, boccia, Para taekwondo, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, para cycling track and wheelchair tennis. 

They are available through the website (www.lima2019.pe) or the several authorized points of sale. 

The Parapan American Games will end on September 1. A total of 1890 athletes from 33 countries of the continent will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines during this event.