15:58 | Tokyo (Japan), Aug. 22.
Pride, dedication, effort, work, improvement, determination, passion, courage, strength, resilience, and vocation is what motivates the group of Peruvian Para athletes who will face a new challenge as of August 24: clinching top spots in their respective events at the
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
The
Peruvian delegation took a break from their duties and gathered inside the Paralympic Village to pose for a photo next to the 'Three Agitos' —the symbol of the Paralympic Games.
Dunia Felices (Para-swimming), Melissa Baldera (Para-athletics), Niel Garcia (Para-powerlifting), Freed Villalobos (Para-judo), Rodrigo Santillan (Para-swimming), Efrain Sotacuro, Rosbil Guillen, and Carlos Sangama (Para-athletics) stand next to guiding athletes Edert Yllescas, Carlos Guevara, and Ferdinan Cereceda, as well as the coaches and staff of the National Paralympic Association of Peru (ANPPERU).
They —in addition to Angelica Espinoza (Para-taekwondo), Pilar Jauregui (Para-badminton), and Israel Hilario (Para-cycling), who are about to join them— make up the national team that will seek to take the top spots at their respective events starting next Tuesday, when the curtains rise to give way to the much anticipated Paralympic Games.
Peru will be represented by 11 Para athletes and three guiding athletes, which constitutes the largest delegation that the South American nation has sent to the Paralympics.
In total, the country has won 8 Paralympic medals, three of which were gold —one was grabbed by Maria Teresa Chiappo (Para table tennis) and two by Jimmy Eulert (Para swimming).
As is known, the Opening Ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be held on August 24, 2021 at 6 a.m. (Peru Standard Time) and the Games are set to run until September 5 this year.
(END) JSO/RMB
Published: 8/22/2021