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.

After 11 days of effort, sacrifice, joy and excitement shown in every competition, Carlos Neuhaus, president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, and Julio César Ávila, president of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC), declared the Parapan American Games closed in a ceremony held at the VIDENA Athletics Stadium.

While the Paralympic anthem was played, the Deputy Mayor of Lima, Miguel Eugenio Romero, handed over the APC flag to the APC President Julio César Ávila. Immediately after, Ávila handed over the flag to the Deputy Secretary of Sports of Chile Andrés Otero Klein.

Go Chile!

Then it was time for Santiago to take over and become the host city of the next Parapan American Games that will be held in 2023. As part of the segment dedicated to the next host, Isidora Guzmán, who is only 14 years old, sang the national anthem of Chile accompanied by beautiful landscapes of the southern country.

Isidora, ambassador of people with an impairment who has actively participated in promoting child rehabilitation in her country, has cerebral palsy that affected her mobility when she was a kid. However, she managed to learn how to count to ten before she was one and a half year, recite the entire alphabet when she was two, and learn to read at age four and a half.

Afterwards, the legendary Chilean rock band Los Jaivas, with more than 50 years of continuous activity, fired up the ceremony with a performance that made the stadium vibrate with excitement. This group, formed in the 60s and still relevant nowadays, thrilled the public with their hits “Arauco” and “Todos juntos” that mixes rock with psychedelic beats and Andean sounds.

This way, Chile takes over from Lima and will be responsible for organizing a new sports celebration for the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games.

Today’s session was historic for American Para powerlifting. From the stands of Sport Center 2 at VIDENA, an amazed crowd could see how the Chilean Juan Carlos Garrido, number one in the ranking, broke his own record and as well the Parapan American record, the same one that he set in Toronto 2015, with 175kg.

This time, the athlete from Antofagasta, who recently won bronze in the World Championship of Para powerlifting in at Kazajistan, lifted 185 kg and picked up the gold medal in Para powerlifting, under-the 59kg category.

With three first successful lifts, Garrido tried to improve his mark by lifting 187 kg, he did not make it though. Brazilian Junior de Franca claimed his first medal in Para powerlifting. 

There’s a considerable difference from his opponents in the medal table, the Brazilian Luciano Bezerra (silver) and the Venezuelan Carlos Betancourt (bronze); whose marks were 151 kg and 150 kg respectively.

Once again, the world’s best fanbase showed its unconditional support for Peru in every sport. This time, it won over the women's wheelchair basketball team. The fans cheered incessantly at VIDENA Sports Center 1, where Peru lost to Chile in matchday 3 of Group B, as part of the Lima 2019 Games. 

Dozens of Peruvian and Chilean families were in attendance, cheering for their respective teams. This turned into a beautiful competition between both fanbases. Peru took an early lead, but their rivals showed their experience, eventually winning 33-28. 

Starting tomorrow, Peru will play the round of matches defining positions five to eight. The first rivals will be Mexico (12:30). If the Peruvian team wins, it will go through to the fifth-place match. Meanwhile, the women's semifinals will be Argentina vs. USA and Brazil vs. Canada. 

“The support from the fans was exciting and we’ll treasure it in our hearts. Unfortunately, we couldn’t keep up the level we showed at the beginning. But we’ll have our revenge against Chile if we meet in the next round,” said a tearful Jaquelin Burgos. 

CHEER ON THEM FROM THE STANDS! 

You can keep cheering on the Peruvian wheelchair basketball teams in the matches defining positions five to eight. Buy your tickets, whose prices start at PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought in the VIDENA ticket offices and the 11 authorized points of sale across Lima. 

They can also be purchased online on the website lima2019.pe/tickets, where the competition schedules are detailed. 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. 

In the sixth day of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games competitions, the “Classic of the Pacific” will come to life when the Peruvian women's national team faces the Chilean team, in the preliminary round of group B. 

The competition will be held at Sports Center 1 of the National Sports Village, at 18:30. Mexico, Canada, Brazil, USA, among other countries, will be also competing in this amazing sport, both in men’s and women’s categories. 

The Peruvian sitting volleyball team will fight for its pass to the final against the experienced USA team, at 19:00, at the Callao Regional Sports Village. The other semifinal will have Brazil and Canada, at 17:00. 

In addition, the Peruvian wheelchair tennis team will be looking to defeat their rivals in singles and doubles quarterfinals against USA and Canada, at the Club Lawn Tennis, starting at 11:00. 

Likewise, in the goalball group stage, Peruvian women’s and men’s trios will be facing Mexico and USA at the Miguel Grau Coliseum of Callao, starting at 10:00. 

As for Para table tennis, players will be fighting for the gold in the 2-5, 3-5, 6-8, 9-10 and 1-2 classes at the Sports Center 3 of Videna, starting at 10:00. 

The Villa El Salvador Sports Center will be the stage of gold, silver and bronze wheelchair rugby matches, starting at 10:00. 

And last, but not least, the best Para athletes of the Americas will be looking for the glory in Para athletics, Para cycling track, Para swimming and shooting Para sport. For more information about schedules and sport venues, visit https://www.lima2019.pe/resultados

The Sports Center 3 of Callao dressed up for the celebration of the first medal ceremony of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. Para table tennis was the sport that granted the first medals to the delegations that, in this way, leave a mark and will be remembered forever for their passage in the Peruvian capital.

In this act, the President of the National Paralympic Association of Peru, Luisa Villar; and the IPC Head of Protocol, Hospitality and Events, Stephanie Keller, presented the first gold medal of Lima 2019 to the Chilean Para athlete, Tamara Leonelli.

The Chilean Para athlete stated that she is proud of obtaining this first triumph for her country. “Lima 2019 has given me the opportunity to obtain this first medal for my country and the feeling is indescribable,” expressed Tamara with great effusiveness.

Another of the winners was Yunier Fernández, Cuban Para athlete. From his neck hung the medal that gave him an almost mythical aura. “I feel like the happiest man in the world right now, because this is an achievement I have been tirelessly seeking for the last three Parapan American Games,” he said, overflowing with joy.

Both distinguished Para athletes, who embody the Paralympic values, also took with them an emblematic souvenir of the Peruvian culture: a cuchimilco made of clay.

These figures of the pre-Hispanic culture of Chancay, which represent the symbolic official mascot of the Games, have marked an unprecedented gesture that has touched these Para athletes. “For Peru, this is a memory of its millenary past, and for me, it represents an unforgettable moment in my sports career,” expressed with gratitude the Cuban Para athlete.

Thus, Lima 2019 is not only becoming the epicenter of excellence in continental Para sports, but also the space where the cultures of the Americas converge, under the protection of the guiding Paralympic principles.

Some years ago, he would compete at local championships in his hometown, Rengo. He started playing with able-bodied people and beat them easily. At the age of 13, his father was advised to go to Santiago, the capital of Chile since there were tournaments for people with impairment.

That’s how he started his career. Now, Matías Pino seeks to defend his title in Para table tennis at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games and even though he has gone through a difficult path, he is used to overcome all obstacles.

“My goal will always be to defend the Pan American title and I’m sure that I will make it. One defeat does not mean that I will lose the war,” Matías pointed out after losing to the American Ian Seidenfeld in class 6.

The Sports Center 3 bursted into chants of Chi... Chi... Chi.. le…le… le. There were 13 people cheering Matías name. His family was there, parents, sister and uncles, they all came from Rengo to see him play as they did at the Olympic Games in Rio, where he ranked among the top 10 players.

“So proud, my chest is pumped up because my family is there supporting me each point and every set. I have to thank them for coming here to see me play, this is a lesson for many people that the sport is a lifestyle in every aspect,” Matías stated, fan of the German Timo Boll, number one in table tennis world ranking in 2018. Table tennis was the sport that opened the Para Pan American Games at Lima 2019. 

His start in sports, challenges and passion

“He’s always been into sports. We used to tell them, if you want to go for it, we do it. He would fall down and get back up. We’ve always taught him that he should fend for himself, because he needed to know that he could get back up,” his father José Pino added.

Eventually, he discovered table tennis, first at home and then playing with regular players, as we didn’t know the Paralympic world until we got to compete in a tournament in Santiago and he ended up taking the third place. His current coach, Francisco Carrasco, saw his skills and took to boosting them,” his father added.

Renzo traveled nearly two hours back and forth by car from Rengo to Santiago and competitions took place even outside of Chile. At the beginning, they were in debt to afford the tickets to go to tournaments and little by little, “he started believing,” his father said.

“He’s always been very professional. He missed his graduation party because he was training, setting himself up for Toronto and at the age of 17, he was crowned as the youngest Para athlete in class 6, a surprise for everyone, his father stressed.

Nowadays, it is different because he has support and recognition. “He often goes to the most important tours of the circuit and works with a good team, allowing him to climb in the world Ranking and even among the best 11 of the world. I just don’t picture my son being someone else, he’s living his passion and I’m proud of him because he’s a real example to the world,” his father pointed out.

With his eyes set on the gold medal, Matías remarked that Lima 2019 “is so important because I strengthened my image competing at the Pan American Games.”

Para table tennis for Matías means much more than a sport. “It’s part of my life since I was 13 years old and the results speak for themselves. It’s what I do every day and what I do for a living,” he concluded.

Para table tennis takes place in the Sports Center 3 at the National Sports Village (VIDENA) and will end on August 27. If you want to enjoy seeing this Pan American athlete defend his title, get your tickets on the official websitewww.lima2019.peand at the authorized points of sale.