Weightlifter Hernan Viera is Peru's strongest man and one of the Inca country's competitors in weightlifting at the
Lima 2019 Pan American Games.
Viera knows he is the strongest man in Peru, but that has not made his ego grow as big as his muscles.
"I'm easy-going, like any young guy," says this weightlifter capable of lifting 366 kg in combined weight.
He is 26 years old, trains twice a day, takes care of what he eats, and has surpassed the record set by his fellow countryman Rolando Marchinares a long time ago.
A tiger tattoo roars on one of his shoulders, decorating his sculpted body that helped him earn a spot among the top four weightlifters in South America.
When he was a child, in Piura, Viera built his strength by carrying drums of water and later joining an unnamed gym.
"I went to
Rio 2016 and, due to several factors, it wasn't my best performance. One learns from that. In Lima, at home, I want to do my best and get on the podium," Hernan said.
The athlete hopes to bring Peru and his little daughter, Emmy, a victory. He admitted to thinking of her every time he challenges his own strength.
"I went to Rio 2016, but now I'm ready to do better at
Lima 2019," he pointed out.
(END) HMC/RMB/MVB
Published: 3/27/2019