Muchos momentos quedarán en nuestros recuerdos, comenzando el 22 de agosto, cuando comenzaron las competiciones de los Juegos Parapanamericanos Lima 2019 . Un total de 1890 atletas para para de 30 países que nos visitaron en Lima 2019 nos dieron hermosos momentos de victoria y pérdida; Permanecerán para siempre en los recuerdos de todos.

1. La chilena Tamara Leonelli ganó la primera medalla de oro en Lima 2019 en el segundo día de competencia y se convirtió en la primera en clasificarse para los Juegos Paralímpicos de Tokio 2020.
2. El Estadio Nacional estuvo abarrotado durante la Ceremonia de Apertura de los Juegos Parapanamericanos de Lima 2019, que impresionó a todos con la inclusión emocional de las personas con discapacidad en el espectáculo. El campeón paralímpico peruano Jimmy Eulert fue elegido para encender el caldero.
3. La para atleta Rosbil Guillén ganó la primera medalla de oro para Perú en la clase T11 de 1500 metros. Con esta victoria, el atleta Para de Huancayo se vengó, ya que días antes había perdido la medalla de oro en los 5000 metros después de ser descalificado por separarse de su guía en la línea de meta.
4. Perú alcanzó un número histórico de medallas de oro en los Juegos Parapanamericanos con las victorias de Pedro Pablo de Vinatea y Pilar Jáuregui en el bádminton Para. Para ciclista Israel Hilario y la atleta de Para taekwondo Angélica Espinoza también encabezaron el podio para un total de cinco medallas de oro. Además, Perú reclamó tres medallas de plata y siete de bronce, lo que representa un total de 15 medallas.
5. Brasil encabezó la mesa final de medallas por cuarta vez consecutiva en los Juegos Parapanamericanos. Con la mayor delegación en su historia, Brasil también superó el mayor número de medallas en un solo evento continental: 124 de oro y 308 en total. Un récord impresionante.
6. México, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador y Colombia también superaron sus mejores actuaciones en la historia de los Juegos Parapanamericanos.
7. El judoca mexicano Eduardo Ávila entró en la historia del deporte en su país después de ganar su cuarto título parapanamericano consecutivo. Con sus dos medallas de oro en los Juegos Paralímpicos de Beijing 2008 y Río 2016, y otros dos títulos mundiales, es considerado como uno de los judokas más exitosos de América.
8. La para atleta brasileña Verónica Hipólito es el mejor ejemplo de que todo es posible en la vida. Después de superar dos cirugías en la cabeza que la dejaron en cama durante dos años, llegó al último lugar de la cuota unos días antes del inicio de Lima 2019. Los médicos le dieron pocas oportunidades de competir nuevamente y ganar medallas, ya que asumieron que esto era poco probable . Sin embargo, ganó tres medallas de plata y todo el continente estaba encantado con su historia de superación personal.
9. Después de ganar el evento de estilo libre de 50 metros, la nadadora de Para, Joana Silva, rompió a llorar en el podio. Meses antes, había perdido a su padre y estaba a punto de abandonar esta disciplina. Sin embargo, ella se recuperó, prometiéndole a su difunto padre que haría lo mejor que pudiera, y así sucedió: ganó seis medallas en Lima 2019, un total de 15 desde su debut en los Juegos Parapanamericanos de Guadalajara 2011.
10. Las gemelas brasileñas Debora y Beatriz Carneiro fueron una curiosidad en los Juegos. Han estado entrenando juntos desde que eran niños y, cuando compiten entre ellos, siempre comparten los títulos. En Lima 2019, obtuvieron el primer y segundo lugar en los eventos de braza de 100m y de popurrí individual de 200m. Por supuesto, Debora ganó el primer evento y Beatriz el segundo, para mantener la tradición.
11. Brasil ganó en el fútbol 5, un deporte para personas con discapacidad visual, alcanzando la gloria de los Juegos Parapanamericanos por cuarta vez en el Centro Deportivo Villa María del Triunfo. Los cinco veces campeones mundiales derrotaron a Argentina por 2-0 en la final, con las estrellas Jefinho y Cassio anotando los goles ganadores.
12. El equipo brasileño de fútbol 7, compuesto por personas con parálisis cerebral, también se llevó la medalla de oro después de derrotar a Argentina. Con esta victoria, los "canarinhos" aseguraron su tercer título en la competencia, después de ganar en Río 2007 y Toronto 2015.
13. En el juego más emotivo de Lima 2019, Canadá venció a Estados Unidos en la final de baloncesto femenino en silla de ruedas. El equipo femenino canadiense ganó el partido por una diferencia de tres puntos, pero este juego apretado se fue al grano, ya que los estadounidenses estaban en posesión de la pelota en la última jugada. Tenían ocho segundos para jugar, pero perdieron su última oportunidad de igualar y forzar un período de tiempo extra. Así es el deporte: no hay ganadores hasta que termine la competencia.
14. Con más de 170,000 espectadores, Lima 2019 batió un récord de asistencia a los Juegos Parapanamericanos. Además de este hito, Lima 2019 fue considerada la competencia multideportiva mejor organizada en la historia parapanamericana, así como el evento con el sistema de transporte más accesible en todas las ediciones de los Juegos.
15. El penúltimo día de la competencia Para Badminton se jugó en un ambiente deportivo emocional, lleno de fanáticos peruanos en el Centro Deportivo 2 de VIDENA, incluida la base oficial de fanáticos de Perú, "La Blanquirroja". El mismo día en que Pedro Pablo de Vinatea reclamó oro para Perú, el guatemalteco Raúl Anguiano hizo historia para su país después de ganar su primera y única medalla de oro en seis ediciones de los Juegos Parapanamericanos.

Lima 2019 awarded over 1500 medalists throughout the 11 days of the largest multi-sports event in the continent. We still get a feeling of nostalgia when we remember the best Parapan American Games in history, in which spectators witnessed the high competition level of the great stars and new talents in the Americas. 

Check the best photos of these figures here

The best Para athletes are listed below:

1.    Omara Durand (Cuba) Para athletics T12

The fastest woman of the Paralympic movement made history at Lima 2019 after winning three gold medals at the Parapan American Games for the third time in a row. The Cuban athlete earned the victory in 100, 200 and 400 m. Besides, she broke the Parapan American record in 400 and 200 m events (she even did it twice in the latter).

2.    Petrúcio Ferreira (Brazil) Para athletics T47

The Brazilian Para athlete arrived at Lima with two world records in 100 and 200 m, and he did not disappoint at all. He claimed the gold in 100 and 400 m and a silver in mixed relay, repeating his success of Toronto 2015. In the 100 m, he even surprised us all by setting two new records on the same day.

3.    Daniel Dias (Brazil) Para swimming S5

The best Para swimmer of all times took home six gold medals at Lima 2019. These new victories added up to the total of 33 golds he has obtained along his four Parapan American Games finals. So far, Dias has won 77 gold medals in his career, including 14 Paralympic medals and 30 world titles. He is, for sure, a true sport legend.

4.    Gustavo Fernández (Argentina) wheelchair tennis

The best wheelchair tennis player of the world circuit obtained his third consecutive gold medal in the Games and his second gold in doubles. This way, “Gusti” finished the year on a high note, as he arrived in Lima as the champion of three Grand Slam tournaments: the 2019 Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. What a legend!

5.    José de Jesús Castillo (Mexico) Para powerlifting

The best Para powerlifter of the Americas rose to the top at Lima 2019 after winning the gold in the -107 kg weight class, his fourth consecutive title in the Games. “Chuy” has now a secure a spot among the top Para powerlifters in this discipline.

6.    Amalia Pérez (Mexico) Para powerlifting

She snatched her fourth gold medal at the Parapan American Games in the -55 kg weight class, breaking the Parapan American record. The Mexican is also a five-time Paralympic medalist.

7.    Yanina Martínez (Argentina) Para athletics T36

She repeated her success of Toronto 2015, by winning the gold in both 100 and 200 m in Lima. Her next challenge is to defend the 100 m title she claimed at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

8.    Sara Vargas (Colombia) Para swimming S6

The new Para swimming talent of our continent earned four golds and one silver at just 12 years old in her first major event ever. Also, she broke five Parapan American records, becoming one of the best Para athletes in the Americas.

9.    Phelipe Melo (Brazil) Para swimming S10

He crowned himself as the Para athlete with the most medals at Lima 2019, with seven golds and one bronze.
 So far, he has collected 22 medals in three Parapan American Games.

10.  Nelson Crispín (Colombia) Para swimming S6

He broke his own record by taking home five golds, one silver and one bronze, surpassing the number of medals achieved in Toronto (three golds, two silvers and one bronze medal). What is more, he broke the 100 m breaststroke world record.

11.  Carlos Serrano (Colombia) Para swimming S7

At Lima 2019, he surpassed his Toronto 2015 achievements with seven medals (five golds, one silver and one bronze), thus breaking five Parapan American records.
 His next challenge is to go beyond the three Paralympic medals he obtained at Río 2016 (one, gold, one silver and one bronze).

12.  Naomí Somellera (Mexico) Para swimming S7

At age 20, she showed us all she is at the top of her game, by collecting six gold medals at Lima 2019.
 This way, she surpassed her Toronto 2015 performance, where she picked up two medals.

13.  Alberto Abarza (Chile) Para swimming S2

The Chilean flag-bearer claimed three golds and two silvers, setting the Parapan American record in four events.

14.  Wimana Stewart (Trinidad and Tobago) Para athletics F43

She snatched two gold medals, breaking the Parapan American and world record in discus throw, as well as the Parapan American record in javelin throw twice.

15.  Matías Pino (Chile) Wheelchair tennis TT6

He claimed two Parapan American titles and helped his country achieve its best performance in the Games.

16.  Clara Brown (United States) Para cycling C1-C3

She won three golds (one on track and two on road) and one bronze in track cycling, thus breaking three Parapan American records.

17.  Fabricio Barros (Brazil) Para athletics T12

To everyone’s surprise, he earned the victory in the 100 m event, defeating favorites such as Noah Malone from the USA and Leinier Savón from Cuba. Besides, he broke the 100 m Parapan American record in his category with a time of 10.97.

18.  Nicholas Bennett (Canada) Para swimming S14

At age 15, he is the new Canadian Paralympic star, and he made it clear to everyone by taking three gold medals and one silver in Lima 2019. He is one of the most well-rounded Para swimmers in the continent, as he has won medals in all four styles.

19.  Thiago Paulino (Brazil) Para athletics F57

He broke the world and Parapan American shot put record all in one day, collecting an epic gold medal for his country.

The atmosphere was impressive. The Para badminton competitions at Lima 2019 were coming to an end. On the court, Peruvian Pilar Jáuregui was facing off Canadian Yuka Chokyu in the WH2 class (person in a wheelchair with mobility in the trunk).

The first set was a contested affair. Chokyu, who has taken part in three Paralympic Games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008), made things hard for Jáuregui. However, the Peruvian player managed to display her top game, particularly in the second set (21-1).

“This was our goal. This achievement is the result of our double training and all our sacrifice. I never expected such encouragement from the fans. They’ve made all this special and unique,” stated Pilar.

Proud Parents

Martín Vizcarra, President of Peru, and Carlos Neuhaus, President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, were on the grandstands. Only a few meters away, a couple of proud parents were unable to hold back their excitement.

They were Pilar’s parents: Raquel and Gerardo. “It’s been amazing to see Pilar win on home soil, at this beautiful venue. It’s been wonderful,” her mother stated.

“What we parents have to go through with our children is really tough. But we have to carry on and support them to pursue their dreams. It’s impossible to put how we feel into words. It's a feeling of pride and love for our country,” her father stressed.

“This medal belongs to them, to my family, because they’ve always supported me,” the Lima 2019 Ambassador said.

Presidential Medal

The medal ceremony featured Peruvian President, Martín Vizcarra. Pilar received her medal and left a message for him

“I hope he continues to support Para athletes because we’ve shown that we can succeed. I’m sure that, after the Games, many kids are going to feel like taking up sports,” the medalist ended.

The month of September starts with the closing of the competitions of the most important sports event in the continent. In this framework, Peru will seek to win his lasts medals and close its Parapan American participation with a grand finale.

It will be the acclaimed Lima 2019 Ambassador, Pilar Jáuregui—who comes from relentlessly defeating Cuba and United States—who will try win against the Canadian Yuka Chokyu in the women’s singles event, category WH2. Pilar will seek to win the gold medal for Peru in the Sports Center 3 at the National Sports Village, starting at 08:00.

On the same day, Brazil will compete against United States in an impressive final in which the winner of the gold medal in the men’s singles, category SS6, will be defined. In the same way, the Brazilian team will compete against Canada in the mixed doubles event, category SL3-SU5.

Likewise, in Para cycling road, Peru will be represented by the experienced Lima 2019 Ambassador, Israel Hilario, who has recently acquired a gold medal, and by the outstanding Para athlete Yuber Pichihua, who won a silver medal in the Paracycling Pan American Circuit held in Brazil. Both will seek to reach gold in the final of the road race, category C1-3.

The competition, which will gather the most outstanding Para cyclist of the continent, will begin at 10:00 in the Costa Verde circuit in San Miguel. In this same venue, starting at 08:00, the final of the mixed road cycling event will take place in the H1-2, H3-5, T1-2 categories, among others.

Finally, the Villa El Salvador Sports Center will host, starting at 09:00, the exciting finals of boccia, in the following categories: pairs BC3, teams BC1/BC2, and pairs BC4.

Thus, the challenges of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games culminate, with the possibility that Peru reaches the podium again and, consequently, improves its position in the medal table looking to leave a Para sports legacy that will serve as inspiration for future generations.

The Para athlete had previously obtained one victory and two losses. Therefore, the Peruvian Para badminton player Jesús Salvá knew that this was his chance to claim the bronze medal in the SS6 category, and he did not blow it.

In a tight match filled with emotions at the Sports Center 3 of the National Sports Village (VIDENA), located in the San Luis district, the Peruvian beat the Canadian Wyatt Lightfoot by 21-14, 14-21 and 21-9 after a 40-minute game.

Salvá even had to recover from a hit in his arm, but the crowd’s support got him to finish off the game. After his victory, he told Lima 2019 he was thrilled with his victory. He considered it a rematch since he had already faced Lightfoot in the quarterfinals of the last Pan Am Para Badminton Championships. “I did it,” stressed the Para athlete, letting go of all the emotion he had kept inside.

“There’s always the pressure that the victory may slip away (from your hands), but luckily I managed to get overcome this feeling and I won,” added Jesús, when talking about the sensations that he went through when his opponent evened the game 1-1.

ON THE ROAD TO TOKYO 2020

He also looked happy and grateful for the support he received from the fans during this decisive match and pointed out that he needs to train hard to obtain a ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

“I want to be there, and I will be there,” concluded Jesús, another outstanding Peruvian Para athlete who added one more medal for Peru in the medal table of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.

On the other side, early on in the morning, our compatriot Pablo Cueto put in his best effort to claim the bronze medal in the SL4 category, with the support of the best fanbase in the world, who did not stop cheering on him from the stands of the Sports Center 3 at the VIDENA and chanting “Peru, Peru, Peru”. Unfortunately, he ended up losing 21-6 and 21-4 after a 17-minute game. 

The Parapan American Games are in their final stage and this long weekend, which starts on August 29, will be the best chance to enjoy the last days of the event that has left a permanent mark in Peru’s sports history.

The experience of watching the competitions will, of course, be a win-win: our Para athletes will have the warm support of the public, while the public will be filled with motivation and pride when they see them triumph.

Guide for the Long Weekend

There are several Para sports that you can experience as a family, inside the impressive competition venues that, after the Games, will remain as a legacy for all Peruvians.

The competitions include the women’s wheelchair basketball semifinals, which will take place tomorrow with Canada versus Brazil and USA versus Argentina, in Sports Center 1 of VIDENA, starting at 18:30.

The boccia competition will take place during the morning session in the Villa El Salvador Sports Center, between 09:00 and 15:00. The Peruvian team will be competing thanks to Dean Tierry Acosta, Carlos Cano, María Cecilia Pancca and Javier Soto.

Boccia—an adaptation of the ancient Italian game ‘bocce’, played since the times of the Roman Empire—is just as much a sports event as it is a cultural one. Take part in these competitions from Thursday, August 29, to Sunday, September 1.

During the weekend, a good option is to cheer on Peruvian representative and flagbearer, Angélica Espinoza, in Para taekwondo (Miguel Grau Coliseum, Callao). The women’s and men’s competition, as well as the qualifiers, will take place this Friday and Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00. The medals will be decided on Friday and Saturday, starting at 15:00 until 20:00.

Another interesting option is wheelchair tennis. The defining matches will be contested starting tomorrow at Club Lawn Tennis de la Exposición, with the participation of the best tennis players in the world, such as Argentinian Gustavo Fernández. The winners will be decided between tomorrow and Friday, the final day of this Para sport.

Peruvian Support

Other Peruvians who need our support are Dunia Felices, Rodrigo Santillán and Harrison Linares, who will compete in Para swimming (VIDENA) until August 31, as well as the well-known and beloved Lima 2019 ambassadors, Pedro Pablo Vinatea and Pilar Jáuregui, who will compete in Para badminton (VIDENA) and will fight for the gold from August 29 to September 1. The competitions will take place in Sports Center 3 of VIDENA, with a good chance that our Para athletes will make it to the podium.

Another good option is goalball (Miguel Grau Coliseum, Callao), the only sport created specifically for people with a visual impairment. Support our fellow Peruvians until Saturday during two daily sessions (10:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 20:00). The ranking will be determined in the men’s semifinals, starting tomorrow.

Buy Your Tickets

Tickets for Lima 2019 Parapan American Games competitions can be purchased at the points of sale located in the Jockey Plaza shopping center in Santiago de Surco and Metro and Wong supermarkets in the districts of Chorrillos, Independencia, La Molina, Lima, Miraflores, San Borja, San Isidro, San Juan de Miraflores, San Miguel and Surco. 

You can also get your tickets on the Lima 2019 website www.lima2019.pe or Teleticket website https://teleticket.com.pe/lima2019.

Tickets start at PEN 10 and there will be a 50% discount for people under the age of 18 and over the age of 60, as well as people with an impairment.

Additionally, if you live in one of the districts where a Lima 2019 Parapan American Games sports venue is located, you can purchase general tickets for the various competitions for only PEN 5.

All you have to do is show your DNI at the ticket booths of the venues in Callao, Villa El Salvador, Villa María del Triunfo, San Luis, San Miguel, Santiago de Surco and Jesús María.

During the seventh competition day at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, the Peruvian women’s sitting volleyball team will compete against Canada for the bronze medal in a nerve-racking match. 

The competition will be held at the Callao Regional Sports Center, starting at 19:00. The women’s final between Brazil and the USA will take place at 21:00. As for men’s, the competition for the gold, silver and bronze medals between the teams from Canada, Colombia, Brazil and the USA will start at 15:00. 

In the men’s quarterfinals goalball competitions, the Peruvians will play against the experienced Brazilian team, starting at 10:00, at the Miguel Grau Coliseum in the province of Callao. In women’s, the Peruvian goalball team will face off Brazil again starting at 18:45. 

In the football 5-a-side group stage, the Peruvian team will try to bounce back and make a full recovery against Colombia, starting at 20:00, at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center. On the same day, the Argentinian, Mexican, Brazilian and Costa Rican teams will compete against each other as of 15:00.  

As part of the first-round matches in football 7-a-side, the Peruvian team will go up against Argentina, starting at 11:30, at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center. The teams from Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and the USA will also try to obtain more points to move to the next stage.  

Besides, the wheelchair basketball matches will also continue at the VIDENA, featuring Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, the USA, Colombia, Chile, and of course Peru.  

Moreover, the best male and female wheelchair tennis players in the continent will compete to obtain their ticket for the singles and doubles finals, at the Lawn Tennis Club, starting at 11:00. 

The Aquatic Center of the National Sports Village will house the last Para swimming matches, where athletes will compete for the gold in two intense sessions scheduled to start at 09:00 and 17:00.   

In Para athletics, the best athletes in the Americas will put their training to the test in a wide range of events, including 100 m, 400 m, javelin throw, 1500 m, 4x100 m mixed relay, discus throw, etc.