Sports

Keeping up with Peru’s Olympians

Peruvian wrestler Sixto Barrera, Peru's flag-bearer at Beijing Olympics, photo by ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzman Negrini

Who are Peru’s Olympic athletes?

For an in-depth look at the Peru delegation, in Spanish, visit this video by Carlos, of Peruanista, on YouTube:

Here’s Carlos’ summary of how the atheletes have fared as of Sunday, as posted in “How Are the Peruvians Doing in Beijing?”:

  • Claudia Rivero lost in Badminton to the French player of Vietnamese origin Pi Hongyan (5th in the world) by 2 to 0 (21-6 and 21-6).  The match took place Sunday at 10:20 a.m. Beijing time. See the results here. View Claudia Rivero’s official Olympic profile here.
Claudia Rivero of Peru returns the shuttlecock to Hongyan Pi of France (not pictured) during their women's singles second round badminton match of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium in Beijing on August 10, 2008.
Claudia Rivero
  • Valeria Silva was disqualified Sunday in Swimming.  Silva finished second in her group of Women’s 100-meter breaststroke, with a time of 1:11:64, which was not enough to qualify for the next round. View Silva’s official profile here.
  • Emmanuel Jose Crescimbeni debuted in Swimming on Monday, August 11, at 6:07 a.m Lima time (7:07 a.m. in NYC) in the 200-meter butterfly.  View 18-year-old Crescimbeni’s profile here. [Note: In first heat of this event, Crescimbeni posted a time of 2:02:13, finishing 41st out of 44. ]
  • Fencer Maria Luisa Doig faced off Sunday against Germany’s Katja Waechter, losing 4 to 15. View Maria Luisa Doig’s profile here.

Well, those results are rather disappointing, no? Still, competing in the Olympics is a coup for these athletes, given that they receive no financial support for their training from the Peruvian government.

On a positive note, thanks to the Univ. Michigan sports website for pointing out that 2008 Michigan graduate Valeria Silva (a 2007 All-American competing for Peru) swam a personal best in yesterday’s race. Her time of 1:11.64 broke the U.S. national record of 1:11.90 that she set earlier this year to qualify for the Olympics.

Peru's Maria Luisa Doig (R) competes against Germany's Katia Waechter during the Women's individual Foil elimination round of 64 match on August 11, 2008 at the Fencing Hall of National Convention center in Beijing, as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. Waechter won 15-4. From Getty Images by AFP/Getty Images.
Peru's Maria Luisa Doig (R) competes against Germany's Katia Waechter during the Women's individual Foil elimination round of 64 match on August 11, 2008 at the Fencing Hall of National Convention center in Beijing, as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. Waechter won 15-4. Photo by Getty Images

Here is the Peruvians’ upcoming Olympic schedule, in Beijing time (subject to change depending on how individuals place in preliminary trials):

Tuesday, August 12
12:00 a.m., Paloma Schmidt, Sailing (Laser Radial)
8:30 p.m., Sixto Barrera, Men’s Greco-Roman Wrestling 74 kg

(Note: Barrera placed No. 1 in this event in the Pan-American Championships, Colorado Springs 2008)

Thursday, August 14
11:00 p.m., Carlos Zegarra, Men’s Judo +100 kg

Friday, August 15 
9 a.m., Marco Matellini, Men’s Skeet Shooting

Saturday, August 16

6:30 p.m., Maria Portilla, Women’s Marathon

7:00 p.m.,  Cristina Cornejo, Women’s Weightlifting +75 kg

(Cornejo placed 4th in several weightlifting events in the 2008 Pan-American Championships, Callao)

8 p.m., Louis Tristan, Men’s Long Jump (qualifying rounds; finals Mon., Aug. 18)

(Tristan placed No. 2 in the 2007 South American Games)

Thursday, August 21
11 a.m., Peter Lopez, Taekwondo, Men’s 68 kg. (preliminary rounds)

Taekwondo athlete Peter Lopez

Chinese TV considers Lopez a favorite to win a medal at the Olympics, notes ANDINA.

Saturday, August 23
6:30 p.m., Constantino Leon, Men’s Marathon

I am an American writer who lived in Lima for seven years (2007-2014), where I covered Andean traditions, melting glaciers and daily life in the capital for Miami Herald, MSNBC and Huffington Post. I now live and work in northern Florida where I champion climate change advocacy and compassionate, affordable eldercare.

24 Comments

  • B

    Awesome report. I was wondering what the schedule was for the Peruvians competing. I’m watching from USA, so obviously all vidoes are of American athletes, but I’m also interested in my fellow Peruvians. Thanks for all your info!!

  • B

    BTW, love your blog. I am also an American. I was born and raised in CA (white- washed… lol), my parents are Peruvian. I can relate to your blog. Very interesting. Thanks.

  • Josh

    My gf is from Peru she is sad that Peru does not have any medals. Even Togo won a medal.

  • Barb

    B — glad you’re enjoying my blog posts about Peru in the Olympics.

    LOL, “white-washed” Peruvian. Even though you’re based in California, you share the same ocean w/Peru. Any good ceviche or surfing where you are?

  • Barb

    Sorry your girlfriend’s bummed out about Peru not winning medals so far. Tell her there may be some hopes with the Peruvian competitors in judo (Zegarra), taekwondo (Lopez) and wrestling (Barrera). Also, Peru has won four medals in shooting in past Olympics, so she should keep an eye on Matellini.

    As they say Peru, it’s not over until the fat ekeko sings.

    Okay. They don’t really say that here.

  • Geri

    Go Peru! Our son and family lives in Peru. We live in Canada and have no any medals either. Good luck to all you great proud athletes. We are proud of you.

  • Barb

    Thanks, Geri. We’re glad to know we’re not the only ones with medal-envy. (Only, you Canadians do rack ’em up in the Winter Olympics.)

  • Barb

    Thanks, Alejandro. Hey, as Mr. Peru Food, what do you think the Peru team’s “official Olympics beverage” should be?

    I see that the Argentinian team is bragging that Powerade is the official team drink. I think the thirsty Peruvians deserve something of their own, hmm?

  • Peruanista

    Thanks for posting the English version of the whereabouts of Peruvian athletes in Beijing. I am awake working late and decided to wait to see Sixto Barrera’s performance this morning.

  • Barb

    Carlos/Peruanista — Did you catch any of Barrera’s match? Too bad he didn’t win, but he was up against tough competition. I think SB needs more experience wrestling the Eastern Europeans and people from the former Soviet Union; those guys mean business.

  • Colby

    i think the offical drink of the peruvian team should be inca kola ha ha. and thanks for the update i was wondering how they were doing since i am in american, but some of my friends live in peru.

  • Yazmin

    Thank you so much for all this good information. I live in California and was wondering when Peru was going to participate in the Olympic games. Although they have not won anything yet I still have hope. Thank you again y que viva el Peru carajo!!!!!

  • Geri

    How are the Peruvian Athletes doing so far. I can’t find anything on anyone but the top athletes. We in Canada are still medal-free too….darn it. Good luck guys anyway.
    Geri

  • Geri

    p.s. is the purple corn drink (can’t remember the name) not really popular in Peru also? Inca and that drink are really good.
    Go Peru!

  • Sarg Gravert

    I am confused!! I just looked at Yahoo sports and they have a complete listing of all countries and the medals. Peru is not even on the list. Did we withdraw or is it bcause maybe we havn’t won a medal just yet?

  • Barb

    Geri — Some of the Peruvian athletes have performed well but none has won a medal so far. Tonight look for some action in men’s judo 100+ and skeet shooting, in which two Peruvians compete.

    Yes, Geri, that popular purple corn drink is called “chicha morada.” It’s too sweet for me, but many of my friends love it.

    Sarg — No, don’t be fooled by Yahoo Sports charts. They list countries that have won medals, not all the competing countries. Peru did not withdraw. We still have to hear from Zegarra, Cornejo, Tristan, Matellini and Lopez.

    Go Peru!

  • Geri

    Sixto looked really good carrying the Flag of Peru. The other athletes looked really good also. We are Canada and still no medals either. Oh well. It’s fun watching the games. Watch Mike go after his 7th gold in swimming shortly.

  • Geri

    Well, finally Canada has several medals for all the many, many athletes entered. Good for them. We are proud of them.
    Does any one have any results of the Peruvian athletes? I can’t find any results anywhere or any news or standing (not medals) about them.
    My son is a runner in Peru and we are proud of him in his races.
    Good luck to all the athletese everywhere. How did the marathon runners or judo do overall? Thanks in advance.

  • Barb

    Congatulations to Canada, Geri, for winning several medals. The athletes have trained so long and so hard; their victories much be so sweet for them. 🙂

    I’ve read some snarky comments online (other sites) from American gloating that Canada hadn’t won any medals. This news will shut them up.

    About results for Peru’s athletes: See today’s post, “The Buzz on Peru’s Olympians,” for results and news on upcoming competitions.

  • Geri

    Thanks for kind words, Barb. Good attitude you have. Now IF more countries would be a little more modest about their ‘many’ medals they might be nicer to get along with – not mentioning any names. LOL! We are very proud of our medals and as you say….they represent much blood, sweat and tears to get.
    The Peru Nike race is one of the examples I mean…..good athletes, lots of hard work and results and good ATTITUDE!
    Go Peru. Still proud of you all and Peru. We lived there for 5 mos last year and LOVED, LOVED Peru. Beautiful country like other. Such really, really nice dedicated sincere people. Bye for now.

  • Geri

    Wow. I loved reading the Buzz link. I sure wish your Gevt and our Govt would finance these Athletes all the way to the Olympics and be so proud of them attending. We have one now is sailing (I believe) who is 41 now and he has to retire because no one will fund someone that old, he believes. Sad, very sad.
    Kudos to those who do fund your and our athletes.
    I am so glad Peruvian athletes tried their hardest and some did their personal best. Much like our country Canada did this time.
    Go Peru.