Peru to consider submitting bid with Ecuador, Colombia to host 2026 World Cup

Peru’s government will evaluate submitting a bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Ecuador and Colombia, local media reported Tuesday.

The president of the Peruvian Sport Institute (IPD), Arturo Woodman, said he is planning to meet with Ecuador’s Sports Minister, Sandra Vela, and the president of the Colombian Sport Institute, Everth Bustamante, to discuss the proposal. Read more…

Peruvian soccer star says country had talent to qualify for South Africa

Former Peruvian soccer star Teofilo Cubillas says the country had the talent to make the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but “does not want to,” RPP radio station reported.

“I’m saddened that our country won’t be present at the [World Cup]. But what hurts the most is that we have the ability, but we don’t want it,” said Cubillas, who is arguably Peru’s all time best soccer player and who in 1972 was awarded South America’s Footballer of the Year, a year before Brazil’s Pele received the award. Read more…

Peruvian athlete wins second gold at South American Games

Peruvian track and field athlete Jorge McFarlane won his second gold medal on Sunday at the ninth South American Games, a regional multi-sport event currently being held in Medellín, Colombia.

McFarlane’s second gold came in the men’s long jump. He also had earned the top spot on the podium on Saturday in the men’s 110 meter hurdle.

“I’m very happy with the results in the South American Games,” McFarlane told Radio Programas Peru on Monday. “I’m proud to have these results for Peru. My brother also earned two medals in the same events that I competed in. That also makes me happy.”

McFarlane’s brother, Javier, was second in the men’s long jump and third in the 100 meter hurdle.

“The truth is that the preparation we had was very strong, the planning was very structured that we had been working on for seven years with our trainer Óscar Valiente,” McFarlane added.

On Monday night, Peru had 20 medals and was tied for sixth in the overall medal count with Ecuador. Peruvian athletes had earned six gold medals, and seven in silver and bronze.

The medal count was being led by Colombia (144), followed by Brazil (116), Venezuela (68), Argentina (65), and Chile (25).

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.

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