The match finished in a short time and although Pilar looked nervous, she smiled at the end of the match. She played against her friend, the US Para athlete Amy Burnett.

At the Sports Center 3 , the gaze of the fans was focused on two of the three courts where the matches took place. Pilar and Pedro Pablo de Vinatea were playing at the same time.

Pilar’s victory was overwhelming with a score of 21 to 4 and 21 to 0. She finished the match faster than Pedro Pablo, and as she said: “I was nervous at the beginning, but when you focus on playing you forget everything. In addition, the coliseum was full of people, I had never imagined such attendance, she stated.

According to Pilar, it was a special match because she did not only face a rival, it was her friend. “I’m a little sad for her, but I’m the host and I have to honor my country. She’s a great friend, she is just beginning and she has made great progress, the difference is noticeable,” she added. Mayor Jorge Muñoz completes para badminton champion’s challenge.  

After the game, Pilar received greetings from the mayor of Lima, Jorge Muñoz, whom she had challenged weeks ago. “He congratulated me and told me to do well and to keep making progress,” she said.

The Lima 2019 Ambassador will continue competing tomorrow to look for a place in the semifinals. “I’ll do my best and now we’ll give it our all,” she concluded.

The Para badminton competition will be held on Sunday, September 1. If you want to enjoy seeing more competitions and cheer on Para athletes, you can purchase your tickets through the official website www.lima2019.pe and in authorized points of sale.

Ram Vijay, from India, is one of the coaches of the Peruvian Para badminton team that is getting ready to collect victories for their country as of tomorrow, when they start their participation in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.

He has been accredited as a first-level coach by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). He was also in charge of the Badminton Academy “Play to Learn” in the Arab Emirates and worked as coach at the University of Calicut and as Head of Coaches at the Malabar Badminton Academy.

This experienced coach has been living in Peru for a year and a half now, sharing his knowledge in this sport with the Peruvian Para badminton team and obtaining amazing achievements.

Ram Vijay is sure that the Peruvian Para badminton team will collect many medals during their participation in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, which will last until September 1.

He stressed the team members, including Jesús Salvá, Pilar Jáuregui and Pedro Pablo de Vinatea, are training hard and will definitely pick up several medals. The Lima 2019 Ambassadors Pilar and Pedro Pablo are perfect role models for all Para athletes.

The Indian coach has never taken Spanish lessons, but he is learning the language little by little, by listening to the Para athletes and the different people he interacts with every day. He is very happy in Peru and plans to stay as coach of the Para badminton team for another two years.

WHAT IS PARA BADMINTON?

It is badminton adapted to people with impairment. Athletes are classified in categories in order to have a balance according to the level of impairment. It is played half-court depending on the category.

It is worth mentioning that all Para athletes are excited to compete as the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has included this sport in the sports program of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The IPC has already published a list with the first 16 sports that will be featured at the next Paralympic Games, including Para badminton.

The Parapan American Games are in their final stage and this long weekend, which starts on August 29, will be the best chance to enjoy the last days of the event that has left a permanent mark in Peru’s sports history.

The experience of watching the competitions will, of course, be a win-win: our Para athletes will have the warm support of the public, while the public will be filled with motivation and pride when they see them triumph.

Guide for the Long Weekend

There are several Para sports that you can experience as a family, inside the impressive competition venues that, after the Games, will remain as a legacy for all Peruvians.

The competitions include the women’s wheelchair basketball semifinals, which will take place tomorrow with Canada versus Brazil and USA versus Argentina, in Sports Center 1 of VIDENA, starting at 18:30.

The boccia competition will take place during the morning session in the Villa El Salvador Sports Center, between 09:00 and 15:00. The Peruvian team will be competing thanks to Dean Tierry Acosta, Carlos Cano, María Cecilia Pancca and Javier Soto.

Boccia—an adaptation of the ancient Italian game ‘bocce’, played since the times of the Roman Empire—is just as much a sports event as it is a cultural one. Take part in these competitions from Thursday, August 29, to Sunday, September 1.

During the weekend, a good option is to cheer on Peruvian representative and flagbearer, Angélica Espinoza, in Para taekwondo (Miguel Grau Coliseum, Callao). The women’s and men’s competition, as well as the qualifiers, will take place this Friday and Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00. The medals will be decided on Friday and Saturday, starting at 15:00 until 20:00.

Another interesting option is wheelchair tennis. The defining matches will be contested starting tomorrow at Club Lawn Tennis de la Exposición, with the participation of the best tennis players in the world, such as Argentinian Gustavo Fernández. The winners will be decided between tomorrow and Friday, the final day of this Para sport.

Peruvian Support

Other Peruvians who need our support are Dunia Felices, Rodrigo Santillán and Harrison Linares, who will compete in Para swimming (VIDENA) until August 31, as well as the well-known and beloved Lima 2019 ambassadors, Pedro Pablo Vinatea and Pilar Jáuregui, who will compete in Para badminton (VIDENA) and will fight for the gold from August 29 to September 1. The competitions will take place in Sports Center 3 of VIDENA, with a good chance that our Para athletes will make it to the podium.

Another good option is goalball (Miguel Grau Coliseum, Callao), the only sport created specifically for people with a visual impairment. Support our fellow Peruvians until Saturday during two daily sessions (10:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 20:00). The ranking will be determined in the men’s semifinals, starting tomorrow.

Buy Your Tickets

Tickets for Lima 2019 Parapan American Games competitions can be purchased at the points of sale located in the Jockey Plaza shopping center in Santiago de Surco and Metro and Wong supermarkets in the districts of Chorrillos, Independencia, La Molina, Lima, Miraflores, San Borja, San Isidro, San Juan de Miraflores, San Miguel and Surco. 

You can also get your tickets on the Lima 2019 website www.lima2019.pe or Teleticket website https://teleticket.com.pe/lima2019.

Tickets start at PEN 10 and there will be a 50% discount for people under the age of 18 and over the age of 60, as well as people with an impairment.

Additionally, if you live in one of the districts where a Lima 2019 Parapan American Games sports venue is located, you can purchase general tickets for the various competitions for only PEN 5.

All you have to do is show your DNI at the ticket booths of the venues in Callao, Villa El Salvador, Villa María del Triunfo, San Luis, San Miguel, Santiago de Surco and Jesús María.

As it was announced in the closing ceremony of Toronto 2015—the last edition of the Games—the three Para sports will make their debut in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. Our multi-sports event, the most important in the continent, was elected to host for the first time the shooting Para sport, Para taekwondo and Para badminton competitions.

In addition, after their debut in the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, Para taekwondo and Para badminton will start their road to Tokyo 2020, where they will be official Paralympic sports for the first time. By contrast, shooting Para sport has been part of the Paralympic program since the Toronto 1976 Paralympic Games.

Competitions at Lima 2019:

In shooting Para sport there will be pistol (athletes with an impairment in lower limbs) and rifle (athletes with an impairment in upper and lower limbs using a stand to shoot) events, and it will take place in the brand-new Las Palmas Air Base Shooting Range.

More than 40 Para athletes—who come from eleven countries of the region—will compete on August 24, 25, 26 and 27 starting at 09:00. The American athlete McKenna Dahl, who won the bronze medal in Rio 2016 in rifle will be present among them. 

Para taekwondo will also have two disciplines: combat or kyorugi (athletes with an impairment in upper limbs) and poomsae (athletes with intellectual or visual impairment), and it will be hosted in the Callao Sports Center. The competitions will gather a total of 47 Para athletes from 16 countries on Friday, August 30 (at 09:00 and 15:00) and on Saturday, August 31 (at 09:00 and 15:00).

On the other hand, Para badminton will include three events (athletes with physical impairment with or without prosthesis and wheelchair) and it will be hosted at the VIDENA Sports Center 3. A total of 50 Para athletes from 11 countries will compete on August 29 and 30. The finals will be held on August 31 at 09:00 and 15:00 and on September 1—the last day of the Games—at 08:00.

Peru is present 

The Peruvian delegation for this Parapan American Games will be the largest ever. It will consist of 139 Para athletes, including those participating in the Para sports that will make their debut in the Lima 2019 program.

The shooting Para sport team is made up of Jorge Arcela, Steve Medina, and Milagros Palomino. The Peruvian representatives in Para taekwondo are Angélica Espinoza, the delegation’s flag bearer; William Fernández; José Navarro; and Shiroy Rentería.

The Peruvian Para badminton team includes stars such as Pilar Jáuregui, Pedro Pablo de Vinatea, Alberto Cadenillas, Pablo Cueto, Roberth Fajardo, Esteban Juárez, Ronald Miranda, Laura Puntriano, Jesús Salvador, and Jenny Ventocilla. They make up one of the largest teams in the Peruvian delegation.

It is worth mentioning that Peru has obtained better results at the Paralympic Games (8 medals) than at the Olympic Games (4 medals). Therefore, it is quite possible that this Parapan American Games, held in Peru, will serve as a springboard for Tokyo 2020 for many Para athletes.

He was there the day that will remain in the history of Peruvian sports. It was October 11, 2013 in Toronto and Pedro Pablo de Vinatea was honoring his role of Para sports ambassador to add on votes which would help to designate Peru as the host country of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

Less than a week from the start of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, Pedro Pablo is excited for the number of Para athletes in the Peruvian delegation. “4 years ago, in Toronto, we were not even 20 and today we are 139” We are the host country and we must take the opportunity because we are a sort of new delegation. These will be the first Games for many, and we will have medals, at least in Para badminton”, he added. 

Pedro Pablo wants to stay calm, but he knows it will be tough and that a medal will eventually be obtained. “I won't promise anything. I want to arrive to a final or a semifinal without stress. Without any burdens so I can get inspired and play the best I can”, he added.

As a Lima 2019 Ambassador, his mission and responsibility all these years “have been to talk about the Pan American and Parapan American Games and that Para sports are not just a show but also a huge source of inspiration”, he mentioned.

The Para badminton competitions will go from on August 29 to September 1st at VIDENA Sport Center 3. Tickets are available on the website www.lima2019.pe. and at the authorized points of sale.

“You are all invited to purchase tickets. I am sure the venues will be full and that the fans will motivate us to play the best matches and improve our performance”, said Pedro Pablo.   

The Parapan American Games Opening Ceremony will be held on August 23 and it will gather 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries.

Jesús Salvá, Para badminton player, is one of our stars for these Games. He is training hard to give his best at the Parapan American Games. This young athlete is part of the top 30 in the world ranking and belongs to the short stature category.

Salvá, 19 years old, said he was delighted, excited and ready to compete. He is training every day up to three times a day, taking care of his diet and having physical and psychological therapies to be in best conditions.

Our Para badminton representative made a call to the public to support Para athletes, buying tickets and attending to the sports competitions of 17 sports and 18 disciplines. 

He also said that this is a great opportunity to promote Para sports and for the media to publicize the achievements of all participants.

“PICCOLO” SUPPORTS PARA ATHLETES

Benoit “Piccolo” Clemente, the surfing gold-medal winner at Lima 2019, offered all his support to Para athletes of the Parapan American Games, which will be held in next few days in Lima.

“Piccolo” and Jesús Salvá encouraged all Peruvians to join this party and turn sports venues into a celebration along with the best fans in the world.

Piccolo also said that he will try to attend most competitions because Para athletes are highly capable and an example for youth and society. “We’ll be proud to see these athletes. I’m sure they will reach a lot of medals for Peruvian fans,” he stated.

TICKET SALES

Héctor Ramos, who is in charge of ticket sales for Lima 2019, invited the public to get their tickets for the Parapan American Games and encourage these Para athletes.

He also indicated that ticket prices start at PEN 10.  There will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment, available in the different points of sale and through the Lima 2019 website lima2019.pe/tickets

The Parapan American competitions will be held at VIDENA, Miguel Grau Coliseum, Callao Sports Center, Costa Verde San Miguel venue, Villa El Salvador Sports Center and Las Palmas Air Base.

The Peruvian Para badminton player, Pilar Jáuregui, is training hard to compete and do well at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. Pilar launched a challenge to raise awareness and make the public understand how difficult it is to move around Lima in a wheelchair.

Peru’s future sports star of the Parapan American Games launched the #PutYourselfInMyWheelchair challenge and invited the mayor of Lima, Jorge Muñoz, to experience it. The mayor accepted the Para badminton player’s challenge, who asked him to put himself in her shoes and in that of many Peruvians who face a number of difficulties when moving around the city every day.

CHALLENGE COMPLETED

Mayor Jorge Muñoz stated that completing this challenge was a very important experience that helps a person be more aware. In this sense, he asked district mayors and entrepreneurs to join in, in order to make Lima a friendlier, more sustainable and inclusive city for people with an impairment.

“Challenges need to be met; my word is very important to me. It is an honor to be with Pilar Jáuregui, who is a notable athlete. When she challenged me, I accepted it to raise awareness among Peruvians and commit to a more inclusive city,” he said.

The Lima 2019 ambassador was very grateful for the mayor’s commitment and called for greater accessibility in the streets, so that Lima can be more inclusive and caring city.

She reminded everyone that wheelchair users have to navigate many obstacles, because Lima, unfortunately, is not prepared. “The idea is not to rely on someone but to be able to move around the streets on our own, independently, which can be achieved with more ramps and accesses,” she said.

PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES

Pilar Jáuregui, candidate for a medal in the next Parapan American Games, stated that she is ready to compete and give it her all on the court in order to reach the podium.

She pointed out that she is focused on not having any injuries and training very hard because, for her, it will be an honor to represent Peru in these Games and feel the cheers of the fans in her own country.

She also took the opportunity to invite the public to get to know this sport and to learn about the reality of people with an impairment.

Pilar Jaúregui Cancino will represent Peru in the upcoming Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. She is one of the candidates for a medal in Para badminton, since in 2018 she was fourth in the world ranking. Additionally, she won gold medals at the Pan American and South American Championships.

Athletes from 33 countries in the Americas will compete in 17 sports at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games.

Photo Gallery (click here)

The National Paralympic Association of Peru announced that a total of 139 athletes will represent Peru at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, which will begin on August 23, becoming the largest delegation in its history.

The announcement was made by its President, Lucha Villar. “It’s an honor to announce that Peru will be represented by 139 young athletes. They successfully qualified and are the large group of Para athletes who will make us proud,” she said.

Peru will take part in 16 sports, including sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball as the ones with the largest number of competitors: 24 each (12 in women’s team and 12 in men’s team)

Furthermore, there will be Para athletes participating in boccia (4), 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), Shooting Para sport (3) and wheelchair tennis (5).

As confirmed by Lucha Villar, the Peruvian delegation will be led by José González-Mugaburu, bronze medalist at the Toronto 1976 Paralympic Games.

“We are very confident, not only in good results that Peruvians will achieve but also in what they will represent. They are the best ambassadors for Para sports,” he said.

LET’S ALL PLAY: BUY YOUR TICKETS

Tickets for Lima 2019 competitions can be purchased at the 11 points of sale set up at Jockey Plaza shopping center in Santiago de Surco and Metro and Wong supermarkets in the districts of Chorrillos, Independencia, La Molina, Lima, Miraflores, San Borja, San Isidro, San Juan de Miraflores, San Miguel and Surco.

Also, on the website www.lima2019.pe and on the Teleticket website: https://teleticket.com.pe/lima2019. The tickets for the Parapan American Games start at PEN 10 and there will be a 50% discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.