Watch Those Thermals: Lima Police to Monitor Beaches from Paragliders

Police are to begin paragliding over Lima’s beaches next week as part of this year’s summer shore patrol program, according to the city’s chief of police, Oswaldo Hernandez. Read more…

Peru Siblings win World Youth Chess Titles

Against the backdrop of the Turkish resort of Kemer on the Gulf of Antalya, two young teen-aged Peruvians from Villa El Salvador won world titles in the International Chess Federation championships that ended this past weekend.    Read more…

Peruvian jockey Edgar Prado receives top sporting award

Peruvian jockey Edgar Prado received Peru’s Sporting Laurels – the Andean country’s top sporting award – on Monday, daily Peru21 reported.

“Success is about never letting your guard down,” said Prado, who has won over 6,000 races. “I wish my mother was here, but I know that she is watching from above.”

Prado rode Bárbaro to victory in the 132nd Kentucky Derby, and was formally inducted into the U.S. National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on August 4, 2008.

His top sporting award also comes with a $15,000 cash prize.

Peruvian long-distance runner Inés Melchor competes in 12th IAAF World Championships despite injury, comes close to beating personal record

Peruvian long-distance runner Inés Melchor competed in the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Germany on Wednesday, coming only 42 seconds short of her previous personal record in spite of a leg injury.

Although Melchor, 22, was eliminated from the competition – finishing 9th of 10 participants and only 43 seconds after race winner Ethiopian Sentayehu Ejigu – she was applauded and dubbed “the Peruvian heroine” by the press and spectators for her extraordinary effort.

Melchor completed the 5000-meter race in 16:00.83, just 42 seconds short of her 16:00.41 personal best.

The Huancavelica native has been unable to train since August 5, 2009, because of a torn left leg muscle.

“I have been resting completely, and this does affect an athlete’s performance,” said Melchor in comment to daily El Comercio. “I knew I wasn’t going to be able to it give it my 100 percent. I am very surprised that I came so close to by personal record, and I am very pleased.”

Peru takes top prizes at South American Olympic Wrestling Championship

Peru won three gold medals, a silver and two bronze in men’s Greco Roman wrestling at the South American Wrestling Championship, held this past weekend in Lima.  Two golds and a silver were also won by Peruvians in Freestyle wrestling.

And the Peruvian women’s wrestling team came in first with 52 points, winning 4 silver medals, followed by Ecuador with 49 pts, Brazil with 45 pts, and Argentina with 8 pts.

Men and women from Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil and Peru competed in the championship, which was held between July 22 and 25 at held July 23-25 at the Orlando Ochoa Coliseumat the La Videna sports complex in San Borja.

José Magallanes won a gold in the Greco Roman finals against Andrés Montaño of Ecuador, and the second gold, in the 60 kg category, was won by Jean Canchumanta against Christian Vital of Argentina. The third gold medal was won by Yanh Franco Rojas in the 66 kg category, against Enrique Guallpa of Ecuador. In general, Peru came first in Greco-Roman wrestling with 61 points, followed by Argentina with 58 points, Brazil with 48 pts, Ecuador with 43 pts and Panama with 8 points.

Peru’s gold medalists in Freestyle were David Cubas (74 kg) and Abel Herrera (60 kg), and Herrera also won the all-round wrestler in the total championship for twice taking his opponents down to the mat in the first round.

The women silver medalists were  Flor Quispe, Daney Céspedes, Jenni Malqui and Janet Sovero.

Both freestyle and Greek or Greco-Roman wrestling are contested in the Olympic Games.

Athletes competing for Peru included Sixto Barrera, José Magallanes, Paul Sobrado, and Yanh Rojas, and in the women’s categories Flor Quispe, Vanessa Malqui, Daney Céspedes, Elsa Flores, Pierina Luza, Jackelin Castillo and Ingrid Chávez.

Peru world-champion boxer Kina Malpartida defeats Brazilian contender, retains WBA super-featherweight world title

Peru’s world-champion boxer Kina Malpartida did not disappoint fans on Sunday night, when she defeated Brazilian contender Halana Dos Santos by technical knockout to defend her WBA super-featherweight world title.

“This is a dream come true,” said Malpartida, shortly after her victory in Lima’s Coliseo Eduardo Dibos Dammert. “It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, and it brings me great joy to dedicate this victory to Peru. I dedicate this triumph to the poorest, to those who struggle, to all of Peru and to my father.”

Malpartida, also known as Dynamite, overpowered Dos Santos with her lightning-quick and explosive punches. A technical knockout was called after 20 minutes in the seventh round of a scheduled 10-round bout.

Malpartida’s technical knockout – the third of her career – sent Dos Santos to the mat more than once.

“I don’t know why the judge ended the match,” said Dos Santos. “Kina won and undoubtedly deserves to keep the crown and the world title, but the judge’s decision was rushed and I finished the fight standing.”

“Everyone saw the match,” said Malpartida in comments to daily Peru21. “They know who was winning. Dos Santos kept complaining about punches below the belt. It was obvious that she didn’t want to fight. If I got close, she would cling on to me, or avoid me… she has a big mouth, and too much talking opens the door to defeat.”

Malpartida – the first Peruvian woman to hold a world boxing title – snatched the vacant WBA super-featherweight title in New York’s Madison Square Garden last month, by sending previously undefeated Bronx boxer Maureen Shea to the mat. A stoppage was called 25 seconds from the end of the ten-round bout.

Canadian fighter Olivia Gerula is expected to be Malpartida’s next challenger. According to WBA regulations, Malpartida must defend her title before October.

On April 9, 2009, in front of a sold-out house at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Canada, Olivia “The Predator” Gerula Olivia won a ten-round unanimous decision over Jelena Mrdjenovich for the WBC super featherweight world title.

Peru boxer Kina Malpartida to be awarded top sporting award

Two weeks after she won the WBA super-featherweight title in New York City, Kina Malpartida will be awarded Peru’s top sporting award, reported Jorge Guizado, the head of Peru’s High Council on Sporting Justice and Honors, or CSJDHD.

“This Monday afternoon, the Council unanimously decided to award (Malpartida) Peru’s Sporting Laurels,” said Guizado in comments to Radio Radio Programas. The award also comes with a $15,000 cash prize.

“This is how it had to be,” said Malpartida’s mother, Susy Dyson. “Justice has been done because my daughter is truly Peruvian. She was born here, and there’s nothing more to say.”

Despite the support of many, Malpartida was criticized for traveling to Australia, and wearing the Aussie flag on her shorts during her win.

Malpartida – the first Peruvian woman to grab a world boxing title – snatched the vacant WBA super-featherweight title in New York’s Madison Square Garden last month, by sending previously undefeated Bronx boxer Maureen Shea to the mat.

Peru boxer Kina Malpartida TKOs U.S. boxer Maureen Shea and grabs WBA crown

Peruvian-born boxer Kina Malpartida snatched the vacant WBA super-featherweight title in New York’s Madison Square Garden this weekend, after a stoppage was called 25 seconds from the end of the ten-round bout.

Malpartida’s technical knockout – the second of her career – sent previously undefeated Bronx boxer Maureen Shea to the mat. Though Shea got back on her feet, referee Eddie Cotton called a stoppage seconds before the end of the tenth round, declaring Malpartida the new super-featherweight champion.

“This is fabulous,” said Malpartida in comments to RPP. “I am very grateful and thank everyone that has helped and supported me. I have dreamed of this moment and have never let negative thoughts stop me. I have dreamed of this and, thanks to God, dreams do come true.”

Malpartida, known locally as “dynamite,” is the first Peruvian woman to grab a world boxing title.

Huacachina lagoon level drops sharply due to well pump failure

The Huacachina Lagoon, the focal point of a small oasis resort located 306 km south of Lima near the city of Ica, has begun to dry up in recent weeks after the local water company drastically cut back the number of hours allowed for pumping water from a local well.

The lagoon has been fed from external water sources for many years, but it’s water level has dropped four meters since April, after Ica’s Municipal potable water company, Emapica, reduced pumping time from 42 hours per week to six. To ensure that the oasis does not disappear, residents are supplementing the water supply by pumping in water from another well. Read more…

Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich loses to Australian Rebecca Woods in Mancora Peru Classic quarterfinal

Peruvian surfing sensation Sofia Mulanovich Aljovín lost to Australian Rebecca Woods in the Mancora Peru Classic quarterfinal Tuesday, the sixth stop on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour.

Mulanovich, 25, former ASP Women’s World Champion and currently ranked first on the ASP Women’s World Tour, put in a blistering performance Monday, scoring a high heat total of 15 out of a possible 20. She defeated South African Rosanne Hodge, and Peruvian Valeria Solé, advancing to Tuesday’s quarterfinal event.

Though Mulanovich’s recent 3rd-place win in Sydney rocketed her into the ratings lead on the ASP Women’s World Tour, the foot injury she sustained during the event might have cost her a win at the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru.

Defeated by Woods 11.5 to 9.83, Mulanovich made it back to the beach in sheer pain, Radio Programas radio reported.

Woods is to face off with Brazlian Silvana Lima in semifinals.

The world’s best female surfers in Mancora are competing for rating points, prize money and the highly-coveted ASP Women’s World Title.

Mulanovich, also known locally as “the gringa,” was inducted into the Surfers Hall of Fame during its 10th Anniversary celebrations on July 27th, 2007. She is the first South American to have this honor, and the first Peruvian ever to win an Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour event.

CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR RATINGS:

1. Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 4411 points
2. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 3948 points
3. Layne Beachley (AUS) 3698 points
4. Amee Donohoe (AUS) 3331 points
5. Silvana Lima (BRA) 3194 points

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