Carlos Neuhaus Tudela, president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, participated in the award ceremony for Peruvian athletes who won medals during the Pan American and Parapan American Games.

Over two million soles were awarded to Lima 2019 national medalists at this ceremony. The head of the IPD, Sebastián Suito; the president of the National Paralympic Association of Peru, Luisa Villar; and International Olympic Committee representative, Iván Dibos, were also present.

Athletes received checks for 80 thousand soles (gold medal), 60 thousand soles (silver medal) and 30 thousand soles (bronze medal) during this ceremony. In team sports, the award was distributed evenly among its members.

Peru obtained a total of 39 medals in the Pan American Games (11 gold, 7 silver and 21 bronze) and 15 in the Parapan American Games (5 gold, 3 silver and 7 bronze), a historical achievement for the country.

Pan American medalists received a total of 1,930,000 soles, while Parapan American medalists received 790,000 soles. Carlos Neuhaus presented the Pan American Games medalists with their awards, recognizing their efforts to bring joy to the country.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

PAN AMERICAN MEDALISTS

GOLD MEDAL

- Gladys Tejeda / Athletics – women’s marathon

- Cristhian Pacheco / Athletics – men’s marathon

- Diego Elías / Squash – men’s singles

- Natalia Cuglieván / Water ski

- Lucca Mesinas / Surf – men’s open

- Benoit Clemente / Surf – men’s longboard

- Daniella Rosas / Surf – women’s open

- John Trebejo / Karate – men’s team kata

- Carlos Lam / Karate – men’s team kata

- Oliver Del Castillo / Karate – men’s team kata

- Kevin Martínez/ Basque pelota – Peruvian fronton

- Claudia Suárez / Basque pelota – Peruvian fronton

- Alexandra Grande / Karate – kumite 

SILVER MEDAL

- Hugo del Castillo / Taekwondo – men’s individual poomsae

- Marcela Castillo / Taekwondo – women’s individual poomsae

- Kimberly García / Athletics – race walk

- María Fernanda Reyes / Surf – women’s longboard

- Vania Torres / Surf – women’s SUP

- Tamil Martino / Surf – men’s SUP

- Alonso Wong / Judo

BRONZE MEDAL

- Leodan Pezo / Boxing – 60 kg, men’s lightweight

- José María Lúcar / Boxing – 91 kg, men’s cruiserweight

- Luis Bardales / Weightlifting – men’s 67 kg

- Alonso Escudero/ Squash – men’s doubles

- Itzel Delgado / Surf – men’s SUP

- Renzo Saux / Taekwondo – mixed pairs poomsae

- Ariana Vera / Taekwondo – mixed pairs poomsae

- Sergio Galdós / Tennis – men’s doubles

- Juan Pablo Varillas/ Tennis – men’s doubles

- Anastasia Iamachkine / Tennis – mixed doubles

- Marko Carrillo / Shooting – men’s 25 meter rapid fire

- Nicolás Pacheco / Shooting – men’s skeet

- Ingrid Aranda / Karate – individual kata

- Mariano Wong / Karate – individual kata

- Saida Salcedo / Karate – women’s team kata

- Sol Romaní / Karate – women’s team kata

- Andrea Almarza / Karate – women’s team kata

- Isabel Aco / Karate – kumite

- María Belén Bazo / Sailing

- Mario Bazán / Athletics

- Nathaly Paredes / Basque pelota

- Mía Rodríguez / Basque pelota

- Renzo Sanguinetti / Sailing

- Thalía Mallqui / Wrestling

- Yuliana Bolívar / Judo

- Yuta Galarreta / Judo 

PARAPAN AMERICAN MEDALISTS

GOLD MEDAL

- Rosbil Guillén / Para athletics –- 1500 m T11

- Pedro Pablo de Vinatea / Para badminton – singles SL3

- Pilar Jáuregui / Para badminton – singles WH2

- Angélica Espinoza / Para taekwondo – under 49 kg K44

- Israel Hilario / Para cycling – time trial C1-2

SILVER MEDAL

- Luis Sandoval / Para athletics – 8000 m T11

- Carlos Felipa / Para athletics – shot put throw F63

- Jorge Arcela / Para shooting - 10 m air rifle prone SH1

BRONZE MEDAL

- Fred Villalobos / Judo – under 81 kg B1

- Efraín Sotacuro / Para athletics – 1500 m T46

- Rodrigo Santillán Cruz / Para swimming – 100 m backstroke S2(S1)

- Dunia Felices Rojas / Para swimming – 50 m butterfly S5 (S1 - S4)

- Juana Noemí Vásquez Molina / Para powerlifting – 50 kg

- William Fernández / Para taekwondo -61 kg K44

- Héctor Jesús Salva Tunque / Para badminton – singles SS6

 

Fifteen years after her first world title, one of the most notable Peruvian athletes of all time made history once again in surfing. Sofia Mulanovich, Lima 2019 Ambassador, won the open surfing event at the ISA World Games (International Surfing Association) that took place in Japan. It was a much-wanted comeback for fans of this sport.

Mulanovich, who won the same title at the 2004 World Cup in Ecuador, competed against the elite of the World Surf League (WSL), and managed to defeat them with excellent maneuvers that showcased her enduring skills. “Sofi” trained with dedication and, although she is not ranked in the world circuit, this is a message that, at 36, she can still achieve great things.

“This means everything to me. I'm very happy and excited. It's amazing to come here and celebrate. That's what this is all about: celebrating and loving sports. I can feel the magic. Everything I've won in my life is so emotional. All I've won is because everything fell into place. It's a dream come true,” said the Peruvian at the end of the competition.

Sofia prevailed over surfing stars such as Brazilian Silvana Lima, South African Bianca Buitendag and American Carissa Moore, who were unable to reach the Peruvian surfer's scores. Her next goal will be reaching one of the last seven quota places at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which will be awarded at the 2020 ISA World Cup, to be held between April and May next year.

“As a child, I never dreamed of competing in the Olympics, because I was a long way from that, but now it's possible. It's a dream come true for everyone to represent your country at the biggest event in the world. I hope I get to go next year and carry the flag,” commented Sofia on the possibility of qualifying.

The Lima 2019 Ambassador participated in the official broadcast of the Games as a commentator. In addition, she visited the High Performance Surfing Center built at Punta Rocas Beach on several occasions. Her comeback to the world's biggest competitions is great news for all sports lovers.

Many images will remain in our memory, since that July 24, when the eighteenth edition of the Pan American Games started in the beach volleyball courts of Costa Verde San Miguel. The 6680 athletes that visited Lima 2019 left us beautiful moments of triumph and defeat that will forever carved in the memory of each person that had the chance of being part of this sport celebration of the Americas.

1. The Games opening ceremony was a reunion with our culture and national identity. The most touching moment was the participation of the tenor Juan Diego Flórez, singing live Chabuca Granda´s songs.
2. The first medal for Peru was awarded on July 27, in taekwondo – Poomsae. The silver medal for Hugo del Castillo and the medal awarded to Marcela Castillo ignited the fans at the Callao Sports Center.
3. The first gold medal for Peru was awarded on that same day. Gladys Tejeda, and Christian Pacheco right after, broke Pan American records in marathon to earn their medals.
4. Peru ended that memorable July 27 with a third gold medal, after the victory of Diego Elías in squash. In just one day, Peruvian athletes matched the best gold medal count on Pan American Games. 
5. British Virgin Islands (Chantel Malone in long jump), Grenada (Anderson Peters in javelin throw), Bolivia (in racquetball in teams), Barbados (Shane Brathwaite in 110 meters hurdles) and Paraguay (Fabrizio Zanotti in golf) won their first gold medals in the history of the Pan American Games. An indelible memory for these nations in Lima 2019. In addition, Aruba won its first medal with the bronze obtained by Mack van den Eerenbeemt in sailing.
6. Andrea Vargas became the first Costa Rican women to win a gold medal in athletics for her country. She defeated two Americans in the 100 meters hurdles event.
7. Natalia Cuglievan and Alexandra Grande won their second consecutive gold medal .in Pan American Games. They are the most prize-winning Peruvian athletes in this kind of continental events.
8. Peruvian surf took three golds in an unprecedented session in Punta Rocas. Benoit Clemente, Daniella Rosas and Luca Mesinas reached the top of the Pan American podium.                                       
9. Romantic moments. The Argentinian gymnast Federico Molinari proposes to her fiancée Paula Cancio during a live interview. In addition, Peruvian athlete Paola Mautino was surprised by her fiancé and coach, after competing in the 4x100 m event, when he approached her, a ring in his hand, to ask her to marry him.
10. Men's karate reached a milestone for Peruvian sport: four medals in four finals. The kata men’s team took the gold. Peru won three bronzes in the men’s and women’s individual kata and in the women’s team event.
11. The moving drop-off from Argentinian judoka Paula Pareto because of an injury. She fought with a back pain in Lima 2019, but she did it as a champion. However, she could not fight for the bronze and lost by walk-over.
12. In the 4x100 freestyle relay, Brazil defeated USA and completely destroyed the Pan American record at the Aquatic Center.
13. The uncontrollable crying of Brazilian Ederson Vilela at the top of the podium, after winning the 10000 m event at the athletics stadium of VIDENA. Vilela confessed that he did not think he could win this event, that his hopes were on the 5000 m event where he placed seventh.
14. Brazil won the 1500 meters swimming event, after 68 years, in Buenos Aires 1951. Guilherme Costa dominated the men’s endurance event.
15. The Brazilian women’s handball team won its fifth consecutive gold in Lima 2019 by defeating Argentina, for the third consecutive time in this kind of event.
16. Eve Jobs, Steve Jobs’ daughter, competed in the equestrian jumping event and won bronze in the individual contest. The Apple's co-founder heir was very happy with how Peru welcomed her.
17. Argentina made the podium in every group sport, except in women’s basketball. The women’s team lost its match against Colombia by W.O. because athletes were not wearing the uniform agreed at the technical meeting the day before.
18. Nathan Adrian, one of the biggest USA swimming stars, won two gold and three silver medals in Lima. The American swimmers praised the Games organization and was amazed by the five cuchimilcos he received in the podium.
19. The Mexican diver Paola Espinosa reached an amazing score in Lima 2019 by winning her fifth medal in Pan American Games, something that will be forever carved in Mexico’s sport history.

 

Without a doubt, the constant feature and trademark of the Pan American Games, which come to an end tonight, has been the unconditional support of Peruvian fans and the fans from different countries of the Americas. Their support has been recognized by outstanding athletes of the continental competition.

Kevin Martínez, gold medalist in Peruvian Fronton singles, highlighted the fact that this discipline of Basque pelota made its debut in the Pan American Games and said he was “very happy” to be the ambassador of this 100% Peruvian sport.    

“It’s an honor to represent this Peruvian sport that we’re slowly sharing with the world and to give Peru its tenth gold medal (of the Games),” he said.

Later, he welcomed the presence of the president of Peru, Martín Vizcarra, at the medal ceremony of his competition and revealed that the president is a former fronton player: “we’ve agreed to play a match to pick up fronton again.”

SUPPORT ON ALL COURTS

Karatekas John Trebejo, Carlos Lam and Oliver del Castillo reiterated how much it meant to them to win the gold medal in men’s team kata surrounded by the universal support of the public.

“This can unite us in order to move forward. Sports are a great tool for change. We’re happy and enjoying this celebration. We’ve been working for a long time. Carlos, Oliver and I are such good friends; I knew we could achieve something historic,” confessed John.

Likewise, Tamil Martino, silver medalist in stand up paddle surfing, said that he had never felt so much support and affection from fans in a competition before.

“That was crucial to us doing well as a team. We, as well as the Peruvian surfing community, are proud that we have been included in such an important championship like the Olympic-level Pan American Games. This is the first time that surf is part of a competition of this level and we were able to prove to Peru that Peruvian surf is a first-rate sport,” he said.

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

Brazilian Rafaella Silva, world, Olympic and Pan American champion in judo, was pleased to represent her country at Lima 2019 and with how this continental event will contribute to her preparation for the world championship.

Surfing medalist Tamil Martino said that the building of the Surfing High-Performance Center in Punta Rocas is a dream come true for all Peruvian surfers. 

“The facilities are first class and they have an extraordinary infrastructure. It will surely be the best place in the world to train,’’ mentioned the silver medalist in stand-up paddleboard. 

Vania Torres, who won a silver medal in women’s surfing at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, emphasized that the venue is magnificent and that it has stairs to go down to the beach and grandstands where the fans can watch the competitions. 

PERUVIAN SURFING LEGEND 

The world surfing champion, Sofia Mulanovich, said that she was very proud for the achievements reached in surfing and the medals won by the Peruvian athletes that participated in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. 

The renowned surfer congratulated the young athletes for their great performance and conviction with which they performed during the competitions. She considers that this must be the start of a boom in national surfing. Surfers secure six more medals for Peruvian sports.  

Mulanovich said that she was impressed by the facilities of the Surfing High-Performance Center in Punta Rocas, which will allow her to continue practicing the sport in such a privileged place. 

Additionally, she affirmed that she continues surfing and training because she does not lose hope of qualifying for Tokyo 2020. 

Photo Gallery (click here) 

 

Story written in the sea. Benoit “Piccolo” Clemente is not only part of the Peruvian surfing team that has positioned this sport at the top, but also is an authorized representative to talk about the before and after the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

The popular surfer known as “Piccolo” said this multi-sports competition “sets a historical precedent for Peruvian sports” and “has opened the doors for many people to get to know new sports and disciplines.”

“I’m very pleased to see families and parents with their children. Allowing their kids to experience these Pan American Games is priceless... I’m very grateful to the Peruvians fans who were present at the (Punta Rocas) beach. To get out of the sea and find that amount of people, the “blanquirroja,” he recalled with excitement.

A GOLDEN YEAR

Benoit ‘Piccolo’ Clemente described his current performance as very important and expects to end this year with three titles to meet his goals.

“I’m going to fight for the world title, which will be the third one if I win. I will try to end this year with these three titles. I’m achieving all the objectives,” Clemente added.

The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee called a press conference held at the Lima Convention Center in the district of San Borja. In addition to “Piccolo,” Peruvian surfers Lucca Mesinas, Daniela Rosas, Vania Torres, and Giannisa Vecco attended this conference. Mesinas qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after winning gold in open surfing last Sunday.

Also, Rosas earned the gold medal at only 17 in the women’s open surfing and secured her ticket to the Olympic Games next year. Besides, Torres, picked up the silver medal in stand-up paddle, and Vecco, was very close to earning a spot on the podium in this event.  

A successful team, almost a family, with the same purpose. Five outstanding and medal winners representing Peru expressed their satisfaction for their performance at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and for the legacy that the Surfing High-Performance Center (CAR) at Punta Rocas beach represents for the future generations.

Lucca Mesinas, who won the gold medal in the open surfing competition and qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Game last Sunday, assured that the new infrastructure will not only be useful for the group that stood out at Lima 2019, but for everyone.

“This is an opportunity to be part of something as big as the CAR Punta Rocas. I think this will give opportunities not only to us, but to all future generations. And it will be something very big that will help this sport.” he added.

On her part, Daniel Rosas, who also won a gold medal in the women's open surfing and got a ticket to next year's Olympics with only 17 years, said that, thanks to these new facilities “future super generations will come and you have to trust them".

Meanwhile, Giannisa Vecco, who missed the podium in Stand Up Paddle (SUP), qualified her teammates who won medals in the Pan American Games as leaders.

“The legacy left by the Surfing High-Performance Center will be incredible, because present and future generations will be able to prepare themselves in an integral way. That's priceless,” she said.

The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee called a press conference at the Lima Convention Center in San Borja. The gold and silver medalists Benoit 'Piccolo' Clemente and Vania Torres, respectively, participated in the longboard and SUP events.

CENTER OF ATTRACTION FOR SURF

After the Peruvian victories that came in waves, one after the other, the Punta Rocas Surfing CAR will remain as a permanent legacy, becoming a worldwide center of attraction for this sport.

The center will include various training and recreation areas, and a permanent grandstand with fixed seats for 700 people. It is one of the few surfing centers that is in front of the ocean, right where the shoal that creates the waves that athletes try to dominate with their boards is located.

This center was designed so that people from all the surrounding districts could enjoy a free access boardwalk, which unifies Punta Negra, Punta Hermosa and San Bartolo, and will end in a large public plaza. 

The area, which will continue its construction on Wednesday (a large long-term project that was not part of the infrastructure needed for the Lima 2019 competitions), will include a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a 5-meter-deep semi-Olympic swimming pool, designed exclusively for apnea (underwater resistance).

It will also include a skateboard ramp, designed for surfers with cement waves to simulate surfing movements with the skate, and 36 rooms for lodging, where athletes from other provinces will be able to stay, among other useful areas. 

The essential users of the CAR are the members of the Peruvian surfing team, but any citizen who wants to enjoy these spaces will be able to access them. It is important to mention that, as in other Lima 2019 venues, all spaces are accessible.

Photo Gallery (click here)

 

 

After the Peruvian victories that came in waves, one after the other, the Punta Rocas High-Performance Surfing Center (CAR)—where the competitions of the Pan American Games took place—will remain as a permanent legacy, becoming a worldwide center of attraction for surf.

In addition to the gold, silver and bronze medals obtained during yesterday's historic competitions, this center, whose areas have all been designed to face the sea, will remain as part of the Lima 2019 impressive infrastructure legacy. The center will include various training and recreation areas, and a permanent grandstand with fixed seats for 700 people. It is one of the few surfing centers that is in front of the ocean, right where the shoal that creates the waves that athletes try to dominate with their boards is located.

The judges' tower, used during the competitions, consists of three levels, which were used by the athletes, broadcast, judges, and the Games Family. However, this zone could be used in the future to give sustainability to the CAR, through its concession to restaurants, ice-cream parlors, coffee shops, etc.

This center was designed so that people from all the surrounding districts could enjoy a free access boardwalk, which unifies Punta Negra, Punta Hermosa and San Bartolo, and will end in a large public plaza. 

On the wall of this "boardwalk of fame", the footprints of our most outstanding athletes will be placed, because in addition to the Pan American medals, Peru has 11 world titles, which makes it a great power of surf. This boardwalk leads to the Plaza del Tablista, where food fairs, street theater, among other activities can be held on weekends.

 HIGH-PERFORMANCE CENTER

However, the area that will resume its construction on Wednesday (a large long-term project that was not part of the infrastructure needed for the Lima 2019 competitions) will include a state-of-the-art gym; a 5-meter-deep semi-Olympic pool, designed exclusively for apnea (underwater resistance); a skateboarding ramp, designed for surfers with cement waves to simulate surfing movements with the skate; and 36 rooms for lodging, where athletes from other provinces will be able to stay. 

In addition, this area includes a warehouse for boards and wet suits; a sand court for sports such as volleyball, football and beach rugby; as well as offices for the technical staff, administrative staff, and a medical center that can be used for sports medicine research.

The essential users of this CAR are the members of the Peruvian surfing team, but any citizen who wants to enjoy these areas will be able to access them. It should be mentioned that, as in any Lima 2019 venues, all the areas are accessible.

Photo Gallery (click here)

 

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)