Author: Lima 2019 press release Lima, 26 August 2019

'BEST PARA ATHLETE IN THE AMERICAS' WANTS TO MAKE HISTORY AT LIMA 2019

Mexican ‘Chuy’ Castillo will seek his fourth consecutive gold in Para powerlifting. Watch him in action on Saturday, August 31 at VIDENA Sports Center 2.

Jesús Castillo

He remembers his first connection with sports as if it were yesterday. Mexican Para powerlifting multi-medalist José de Jesús Castillo was only 16 when he was watching the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games in his living room. That fall morning in his hometown Guadalajara, ‘Chuy’ discovered the discipline that would turn him into one of the living images of victory.

Since then, Castillo has devoted his entire time to beating his own records. He is currently competing in the 97 kg category and is the current Parapan American champion, with another two golds claimed at Guadalajara 2011 and Río 2007, though in a different weight category. His perseverance resulted in the Americas Paralympic Committee naming him the best Para athlete in the Americas for the second year in a row.

“It impressed me to see people who had the same physical condition as me doing extraordinary things. I tried other types of Paralympic sports such as Para swimming and Para athletics; however, my destiny was Para powerlifting, and thank God, I've done well,” the 2017 world champion told Lima 2019.

The Mexican powerlifter will compete on Saturday 21 at VIDENA Sports Center 2, seeking an unprecedented fourth gold in a row. Castillo, who also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games, intends to improve his record of 236 kg, which is also the current Parapan American record.

“This is my first time in Lima and I'm eager to do everything right and expect to climb onto the top of the podium. Although my record is high, we will try to surpass it in Lima. We have just competed in the World Championship in Kazakhstan, and depending on how the competition goes, we will try to achieve it if needed,” added ‘Chuy’.

The show is guaranteed with this outstanding Para powerlifting champion. Buy your tickets for his competition, starting at only PEN 10. There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment. You can buy the tickets in the ticket offices at VIDENA and the 11 authorized points of sale in Lima.

They can also be bought online at lima2019.pe/tickets, where the competition schedule is 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.