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. 

Photo Gallery (click here)

Although the sports competition result was not the best, Peruvian Para swimmer Juan Leónleft with a feeling of contentment. Juancito’s main goal in his first-ever participation in the Parapan American Games was to improve his record in 400m freestyle, S7 class, and he managed to do it.

León had prepared for this moment since two years ago. He was excited to see the grandstands full of spectators, including some of his relatives and neighbors. This motivated him to achieve a record of 6:15:22. His effort paid off with the rapturous applause by those present in the VIDENA Aquatics Center.

“It is not easy to improve my personal record by 23 seconds. It takes more time to achieve this goal. Thanks to my demanding training by my coach Fernando Cuadros, I expect to get a better record so that I can earn a quota place at Tokyo 2020. I am going to push myself to the limit in order to keep representing my country in international competitions,” said León. Juancito León expected to get a medal at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. 

The Para swimmer had never competed in a similar event before. This is why he believes that this event will be a turning point in his sporting career.

“The support of all these people moved me. The ovation that I received from people, before and after the event, is an image that my family and I will treasure forever. I also saw some neighbors from my Ventanilla neighborhoods, but I had to stay focused. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” 'Juancito' said.

The Lima 2019 Ambassador Dunia Felices thanked this morning the unceasing people’s support at the Aquatic Center in VIDENA, during the first of the five events she will compete in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, in the beginning of Para swimming competitions.

She competed in the 50m, backstroke. Placed in the lane 2, the Peruvian athlete swam while people shouted “Peru... Peru... Peru”, reaching the finish line in after one minute, 29 seconds, and 58 hundredths.

“It has been an spectacular experience.  It is not exactly my event, but I am happy to be able to swim at the beginning of the competition; to be the first Peruvian. I wanted to feel this, to participate and receive the applause from the public, to swim in these Games, the truth is, it has been spectacular”, she said.

Heat 2, category S5, was won by the American Alyssa Gialamas (48,80s), followed by the Brazilian Tishe De Souza (54,48s) and Esthefany De Oliveira (57,40s).

MISSION COMPLETED

“The Parapan American Games have just begun, but I was able to seethe achieved goal which is to highlight the Para athletes and show everyone that people with impairments can find in sport a big opportunity to excel, just as I found it two years ago when I started in ANPPERU (The National Paralympic Association of Peru); look at me now, I am swimming here in front of all Peruvian”, she said.

In the afternoon session, another Peruvian will compete. Juan León Durán will compete in the 400m final, freestyle S7, his opponent will be Facundo José Arregui from Argentina who has the Parapan American record in the event with a time of 5min05s93h obtained fours years ago in Toronto.

Welcomed with the applause of an excited audience, Jimmy Eulert—considered Peru’s greatest-ever Para athlete—had the privilege of lighting the Parapan American Cauldron, placed in the middle of the National Stadium field for this multi-sports celebration.

This was a fitting homage to the most successful Peruvian Para swimmer ever at the Paralympic Games, also a winner at the Parapan American Games. While sitting in his wheelchair, Eulert carried the Torch up to the totem on whose top was the cauldron. The Flame will remain lit until September 1, day of the Lima 2019 Games Closing Ceremony.

Throughout his successful sports career, Jimmy Eulert won five Paralympic medals, making him the most decorated Para athlete in the main Paralympic competition. He clinched a gold medal in the 50m freestyle at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games. Later, at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, he also won gold in 50m freestyle, plus a silver medal in 50m backstroke. At Athens 2004, Eulert took home two bronze medals (50m freestyle and 50m backstroke). 

His other sports accolades include the gold medal at the Mexico 1975 Parapan American Games in freestyle, while at Halifax 1982 he got the gold (backstroke) and a bronze medal (freestyle). At Aguadillas 1986, he won two golds (freestyle and backstroke), while at Caracas 1990 he earned three medals: another two golds (50m freestyle and 50m backstroke) and one silver (100m freestyle). In addition, he won the gold medal in 50m backstroke at the 1998 World Para Swimming Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Jimmy Eulert also earned numerous medals in the current version of the Parapan American Games, beginning at Mexico 1999, when he won two gold medals (in 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke) and one silver medal (100m freestyle). At Mar del Plata 2003, he grabbed two gold medals. Rio 2007 saw him win another gold (100 m freestyle).

Before Jimmy Eulert, three outstanding Para athletes who once made Peru proud received recognition by carrying the Torch. Paralympic medalists Teresa Chiappo and José Gonzales Mugaburu had the privilege of carrying the Flame in the last stretch. Chiappo won the gold medal in Para table tennis and the bronze medal in javelin throw at the Toronto 1976 Paralympic Games.

José Gonzales, who is also Peru’s Chef de Mission for the Games, took part in six Paralympic Games, starting at Heidelberg 1972. At Toronto 1976, he won the bronze medal in 100m backstroke, an achievement that earned him the Sports Laurels decoration.

The other Para athlete who was given recognition was Ica-born Pompilio Falconí, the last Peruvian to earn a medal at the Parapan American Games to date. Falconí won the only medal for Peru at Guadalajara 2011, as he took home the bronze medal in discus throw, F35/F36 category, with a mark of 33.47 meters. The three Para athletes carried the torch before relaying it to Eulert for lighting the cauldron.

Meanwhile, the flag of the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) was carried by Efraín Sotacuro, fourth at the Río 2016 Paralympic Games; Alicia Flores, silver and bronze medalist at the Kingston 1971 Paraplegic Pan American Games; Yeni Vargas, participant in the Río 2016 Paralympic Games; Juana Hurtado, who won gold, silver and bronze in Para swimming at the Mexico 1999 Parapan American Games.

They joined María Trujillo, silver medal in Para swimming at the Sao Paulo 2017 Youth Parapan American Games; Israel Hilario, who participated in Para cycling at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and the Río 2016 Paralympic Games, becoming the world champion in 2015; Óscar Neyra, who competed in Para swimming at the Kingston 1971 Paraplegic Pan American Games; and Augusto Vásquez, gold medalist in Para swimming at the Caracas 1990 Paraplegic Pan American Games.

Javier Soto, Peruvian representative in boccia, took the oath on behalf of all Para athletes. The judges’ oath was taken by Sorei Núñez, Para swimming. Miguel Calmet, coach of the Peruvian Para athletics team, took the oath on behalf of all coaches.

The Pan American Games left us a great lesson. There is no age limit nor specific reason to practice sports. Some may say their stories are entirely different, but they actually share the same passion: sport. 

While Claudia was claiming her seventh consecutive title in frontón, .Alexia had already started flutter kicking in the water. 

At age 51, Claudia Suárez won the gold in Peruvian frontón at the last Pan American Games and has never been defeated after claiming the national crown 20 years ago. 

Alexia Sotomayor also broke the mold. At just 13 years old, she became the youngest Peruvian athlete to participate in a Pan American Games and impressed the world by breaking her own records. She almost qualified for Tokyo 2020 in the 500 m freestyle final.  

Both met each other for the first time this weekend during the Festival “Learn Through Play”, which aimed to promote de Parapan American Games that will be held from August 23 to September 1.  

“I practiced swimming for many years, but when my shoulders started to broaden I didn’t like it that much, so I got into racket sports,” told us Claudia when asked if she had ever tried professional swimming? 

For Alexia, the Pan American Games experience was unforgettable and also a big step in her career that has just started. “We competed against Olympic medalists and world record holders. I had the chance of going up against them, and that motivates me. It felt so good. When you’re competing, you focus on yourself to try to improve and pursue your goals,” mentioned Alexia. 

Claudia’s First Steps 

Claudia gave her first steps in sports in squash.  “I started competing at the age of 15 in a squash South American championship held in Paraguay. When I was 13, I wasn't even thinking about competing; I didn’t even know what sport I wanted to play at all. When I see Alexia, I see a great role model for kids. My son is 15, and I’m dying to see what sport he’ll choose. It’s complicated because you can’t force kids. You have to let them be themselves and choose what sport they like the most. They must decide on their own. I also had to make that decision at some point,” indicated the Pan American medalist.   

So after hearing all her experience, we asked Claudia to give Alexia a piece of advice. “You must be very disciplined and train hard to be an elite athlete. I used to go to parties too, but there must be some limits. I didn’t understand it at her age either, but my parents helped me out.” 

Currently, Claudia works a Peruvian frontón teacher. “I’ve been teaching kids for 17 years now because I want to promote sports practice. That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness. The sports career is incredible, and it gives you many satisfactions,” added the Pan American medalist with her usual serenity. 

Then, we asked Alexia: “What kind of teacher do you think Claudia is?” I think she helps everyone who wants to improve. She’s not a serious teacher, but she does like discipline,” said the young athlete.   

Claudia immediately added: “I’m very motherly with children. Everyone sees me as their mom, and that helps me teach them better.” 

Life at 13 

Alexia is still on vacations and is about to start her first high-school year. She was six months old when she first touched the water. Her mother, who also practiced swimming, took a course for mothers and babies. At age 5, she started swimming in a sports club. 

Being an elite athlete takes a lot of effort, and Alexia had to wait until the end to confirm her participation in Lima 2019.  “First, they had to validate my mark because of my age, but at the end they let me participate, and I was proud to represent Peru.” 

“I get a lot of support from my school. They help me catch up and make up my exams. Sport changes your lifestyle; for example, my friends go to parties, but I have to give up some of those activities due to my training. If I want to be the best, I have to train every day,” mentioned Alexia sure of herself. 

Her priorities are straight: “Going to the Pan American Games in Chile and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. I see myself on the podium,” concluded Alexia.   

Claudia listens closely and tells her that “the feeling of winning a medal is incredible. It makes all the effort worth it.” 

The Most Expected Event: Lima 2019  

“Lima 2019 was a memorable event, and I hope all my students get to compete in a large tournament like this one,” said Claudia in regard to her future students. 

“Representing my country made me proud. It was amazing to see all the stands packed and receiving the support of all Peruvians,” added Alexia when remembering her participation in Lima 2019 last August 8.   

Social Media 

“My followers increased after the Games. Before the event, I had 1700, but now there are almost 8000,” she said. 

“I’ve created my accounts, but someone else manages them for me. It’s taken me a while to get used to these technologies. 

Her Sport 

“This sport is my life. It’s our flagship sport, and it has achieved a milestone I thought we'd never reach thanks to the internationalization. It’s cost us a great deal, and now we have to work hard so that frontón can keep growing,” stressed Claudia when asked about her sport and how it was included as a Basque pelota discipline at Lima 2019. 

“It’s my passion, and it’s always been a part of my life,” said Alexia. 

After their meeting, they took some time to practice and promote Para sports and to show the passion that runs through their veins. They’re an example for all generations in our country. 

Juan León has overcome adversity even in the hardest of times. The Para swimmer who will represent Peru at Lima 2019 in the S7 class, starting on August 25, overcame the feeling of losing his lower limbs in an accident five years ago to become one of the candidates to win a medal at the Parapan American Games.

“Juancito” got into the discipline encouraged by a coach that saw him in the street in 2016, while working in the public transportation. Since then and after months of demanding training, he has claimed medals in many competitions such as the bronze in 100 m breaststroke and the silver in 50 freestyle at the 2018 Open Loteria Caixa, held in Brazil. That same year, at the Barranquilla Open (Colombia), he won the gold in 400 m freestyle, silver in 100 freestyle and bronze in 50 freestyle.

“These Games will be epic for all Peruvian Para athletes and will become a public legacy for future generations with and without an impairment. I hope the people watching the competitions can see us as an example to overcome all hardships and choose sport as a tool to change our lives, just like me and my teammates who will participate in Lima 2019,” said the Para athlete.

His neighbors in Pachacútec, in the district of Ventanilla, promised to root for him at the Aquatic Center of the VIDENA, as he is a living example that perseverance can break any obstacle. Additionally, they have witnessed the dedication of “Juancito”, a man who feels that he runs in the water.

“We’ll face athletes that are known worldwide, but we won’t let our guard down because we have no excuses to not follow our dreams. We’ll put up a fight. I’ve trained hard to show the world what Peruvians are made of,” he added.

HISTORICAL DELEGATION AT LIMA 2019

Peru will be represented by 139 Para athletes, the highest record number in this type of continental competitions. In addition, it will participate in 16 disciplines, with the largest number of competitors in sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, with 24 in each (12 in the women’s team and the same amount in the men’s team).

Other disciplines that were included in the sport program are boccia (4 Para athletes), football 5-a-side (10), football 7-a-side (14), goalball (12), judo (1), Para athletics (14), Para badminton (10), Para cycling (2), Para swimming (4), Para powerlifting (4), Para taekwondo (4), Para table tennis (4), wheelchair tennis (5), and shooting Para sport (3).

BUY YOUR TICKETS

Tickets for the matches, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, are now available, and prices start at PEN 10.00. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought in the eleven Lima 2019-authorized points of sale.

You can also be purchased your tickets online through the website lima2019.pe, where the competition schedules are 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.

In the past three editions of the Parapan American Games, Brazil’s dominance on the podium has been remarkable. Since Rio 2007, the “green and yellow” delegation landed first on the medal table with great performances in disciplines such as, football 5-a-side, Para table tennis, Para swimming and Para athletics, always showing an extraordinary level.

Lima 2019 will welcome more than 30 world Olympic medalists, whose passion towards sports helped them to cope with society, no matter the obstacles. As of tomorrow, five of those stars will come to Peru to show that one can succeed with determination and courage. Find out more about them here:

1. Daniel Dias (Para swimming Class S5)

At the age of 16, he showed interest in the sport watching Clodoaldo Silva’s events on TV at Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Ever since, despite his congenital malformation on his upper arms and right leg, he trained hard to become the greatest Para swimmer ever. As a matter of fact, he received the well-known Laureus World Sports Award in 2009, 2013 and 2016, which are considered the “Oscars of sports”. He has claimed 14 gold medals at the Paralympic Games (from Perkin 2008 to Rio 2016), 27 Parapan American Games (from Rio 2007 to Toronto 2015), and 30 world championships, another reason to follow him in Aquatic Center of the VIDENA.

2. Joana Silva (Para swimming Class S5)

She was only 10 years old when she took up swimming due to medical advice. However, that was just the beginning of her brilliant career. Even though Joana was born with achondroplasia, a growing condition caused by genetic mutations, it did not stop her from becoming the number one. She took four gold medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle and butterfly in her first Parapan American Games. She went on to win medals at the 2012 London Paralympic Games and Rio 2016, as well as the Montreal 2013, Glasgow 2015 and Mexico 2017 IPC Swimming World Championships. At Toronto 2015, she bagged five gold medals.

3. Verónica Hipólito (Para athlete Class T37)

She used to compete as a regular athlete in the Olympic cycle at the age of 6, but a cerebrovascular accident partially affected the movement of her right limbs. Regardless, Verónica did not quit the sport and now represents Brazil in many world Para athletics events. In 2013, she made her debut at the Lyon World Championship (France), taking a gold medal in 200 meters and one silver in 100 meters. At the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, she reached the highest spot on the podium in 100, 200 and 400 meters, not to mention a silver medal in long jump. One year later, she snatched the silver in 100 and bronze in 400 meters at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. A self-made champion for life.

4. Lucas Prado (Para athlete Class T11)

The athlete lost his sight in 2002 due to retinal detachment in an accident. Overcoming that burden, he took up football 5-a-side and goalball, but it was not until 2006 that he embraced Para athletics, a discipline that got him impressive achievements. Consequently, he won gold in 100, 200 and 400 meters at the Rio 2007 Parapan American Games, repeating his success at Tokyo 2008 Paralympic Games, Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games and Christchurch World Championship also in 2011. He would then win two silvers at London 2012 the next year and, at Toronto 2015, he claimed the gold in 4x100 relay and the silver in 100 meters. His life has always been related to sporting success.

5. Football 5-a-side Team

The squad led by Ricardinho will show up as the best team in the history of football for athletes with vision impaired. The “Canarinhos” will try to claim their fourth title at the Parapan American Games, after winning all past editions since 2007. Currently, this generation owns four consecutive gold medals at the Paralympic Games since Athens 2004, as well as five titles at the world championships and two at the sub-championships, leaving behind great contenders such as Argentina, China and Spain. An incredible show is guaranteed at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center with these amazing football players who will teach us a great life lesson.

Get your tickets at lima2019.pe/tickets or at any authorized point of sales. Ticket prices start at PEN 10.00. Also, there will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.

ABOUT LIMA 2019

The Parapan American Games will gather 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, participating in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Competitions will take place from August 23 to September 1, 2019. Additionally, 13 Para sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

A total of 139 Para athletes will represent Peru, the largest number in this kind of continental events. Sixteen disciplines are included in the sports program. Sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball are the sports with the most competitors, with 24 each one (12 in the women’s team and 12 in the men’s team).

With high hopes and expectation for its performance in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, Uruguay will present its best five athletes for the biggest multi-sport event of the Americas, to be held from August 23 to September 1.

Uruguay will be represented by Henry Borges in the 60 kg judo category, Gonzalo Dutra in Para swimming, Eduardo Dutra in Para athletics, Carmelo Milán in shooting Para sport and Gonzalo Acosta in Para table tennis. Eduardo Dutra holds the national record in 800 m, with 1 minute, 50 seconds and 80 hundredth. He will be competing in that same event in Lima 2019.

Gonzalo Dutra will compete in 50 m and 100 m freestyle and 100 m breaststroke at the Aquatics Center of VIDENA, where the Para swimming competitions will be held. Carmelo Milán will compete in the 10m air rifle prone and 10 m air rifle standing events, at the Las Palmas Shooting Range in Surco.

Henry Borges will compete in the -60 kg judo category, for athletes with visual impairment. Borges is an experienced athlete that also competed in the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Paralympic Games. Judo competitions will be held at the Sports Center 2 in VIDENA.

LIMA 2019 TICKET SALES

To attend the competitions, such as Para table tennis, Para swimming, judo, shooting Para sports or Para athletics, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the Parapan American Games, get your tickets, starting at 10 soles. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. Tickets can be bought at ten Lima 2019-authorized points of sale around the city. Learn more about their location:

Tickets can be also purchased online at lima2019.pe/ Tickets, where you will also find the Sports Calendar with the detailed competition schedule. 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.

THE PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

In these Parapan American Games, 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines (1247 men and 643 women) The Peruvian delegation will present 139 athletes that will compete in 16 out of 17 sports.

Competitions will take place in 14 venues from August 22 to September 1, 2019. This is the first time that Peru will organize the most important multi-sports event of the Americas and the most significant sporting event in the world after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Parapan American Games will give quotas for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in 13 Para sports. The Parapan American Games are supported by the Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

About IPC and APC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of the Paralympic movement. Its objective is to organize the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and to act as the International Federation of nine sports, in order to supervise and coordinate the World Championships and other competitions.

The Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) was founded in August 1997 with the aim of creating a Para sport governing body for the Americas. Since 2007, the Parapan American Games are held by the city that hosts the Pan American Games.

About the National Paralympic Association of Peru

The National Paralympic Association of Peru (ANPP) is the governing body of the Paralympic sports movement in Peru. Since 2016, it promotes individual and group Para sports participation. The association also works to transform society by promoting Para sports, as part of the legacy that the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will leave.

The first group of 23 Cuban athletes arrived in Peru to compete at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, to take place from August 23 to September 1. 

The Cuban delegation was led by Paralympic swimming champion Lorenzo Pérez, gold medalist in 100m freestyle at Rio 2016 and world record in 100m freestyle, S6. 

Pérez was also a Parapan American champion at Guadalajara 2011 and Toronto 2015. He is part of a group of eight Cuban athletes who will compete in Para swimming, one of the sports that will feature Cuba. 

The rest of the group will compete in other sports: Para taekwondo (6), Para badminton (3), shooting Para sport (3), Para cycling (2) and wheelchair tennis (1).  

A total of 48 Cuban athletes will participate in these Games. The rest of the delegation will arrive to Lima in a second group led by Omara Durand, medalist in many Games. 

Durand will be the Cuban flagbearer during the Opening Ceremony, which will take place at the National Stadium on August 23. 

The second group will have athletes competing in judo (5), Para powerlifting (5) and Para table tennis (4). 

The Cuban athletes expect to have a good performance at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, an improvement on their participation in Toronto 2015.