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Deportes
Twenty-eight athletes will be responsible of proudly representing Peru. There are three disciplines and only one goal: to make it to the podium at Lima 2019. The sabre, foil and épée fencing events will take place from August 5 to 10 at the Lima Convention Center.
The Peruvian team members have been training hard for the competitions under the supervision of the Cuban coach Adolfo Polo.“The preparation of the athletes is going well. There are three training sessions every day. We have good training facilities and resources, which makes winning medals something attainable,” said Polo.
Full of Dreams
Fabián Huapaya is 21 years old and will participate in the sabre event. He has been training twice a day from Monday through Saturday at the VIDENA and will soon travel to Canada for the 2019 Senior Pan American Championships, which will start on June 26.
“We’ll compete against strong opponents, and that will helps us to get ready for Lima 2019. For example, we’ll face the best sabre fencer, Eli Dershwitz, and Daryl Homer, who won the silver at Rio 2016. We’re training hard to do well,” stressed Huapaya, the current Peruvian champion.
Fabián was introduced to fencing from a very young age as this tradition has been passed down in his family from generation to generation. “Fencing has always been a part of my life. My father Iván Huapaya won the bronze at the 1997 Bolivarian Games, and I used to go with him to his classes.”
Marcio Orihuela is 21 years old, competes in the foil event and was also introduced to fencing at a young age. “My godmother was a teacher. She invited me to practice this sport, and I gradually came to like it,” mentioned the young athlete who is currently second place in the Peruvian national ranking.
“The competition level is quite high; for example, the United States has an Olympic medalist, Alexander Massialas. I’m very excited to compete and give my best because winning the gold is the ultimate goal. It’s complicated but not impossible,” he added.
Finally, Andrés Espinoza is 19 years old and will be participating in the épée event. As a matter of fact, he and his two younger brothers practice this sport.
“I learned about it at school through a program organized by the fencing federation. I finished the junior category in first place and I’ve continued achieving good results now that I’m in the senior category,” explained Andrés, who just competed in the South American Fencing Championships and finished ninth out of 64 participants.
All young fencers are excited for the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and are aware that this event is a great challenge.
“I transform my anxiety into motivation to improve every day, and each day I feel closer to winning the gold,” said Espinoza.
Meanwhile, for Huaypaya, things are crystal clear. “I want to be among the top 8, and once I’m there, I’ll go for the gold.”
The competitions will take place at the Lima Convention Center, a stage specially prepared for the Games, where the South American Fencing Youth, Cadet and Junior Championships were recently held and where Peru won a silver medal in men’s foil and two bronze medals in women’s foil.
“Please come to cheer on us for the competitions. We feel great support at home,” said Orihuela.
“It’s an elegant and nice stage that will allow you to witness a great show. Everyone has trained a lot, and I believe that the public’s support will helps us achieve wonderful results. Their support will make the difference,” stated Polo.
