HUANCAYO, CITY OF GREAT TORCHBEARERS

Juan José Castillo Ibarra is a living legend. He is 51 and has dedicated 30 years to sports. He has participated in four Olympic Games and has won various marathons, such as Cross Country in Hiroshima, Japan. Also, he holds the best fourth world record in 15K marathon.

Juan José says success is based on dedication, humility and perseverance, and he was chosen as the first Pan American torchbearer. “It’s an honor to carry the torch... Sport gave me everything,” he said movingly before the historical celebration. 

Evelyn Inga Huaynalalla smiles timidly close to Plaza de los Héroes. However, it only took us a few minutes to find out that this tiny girl is actually an elite athlete. She has won the Pan American Cup that took place last April 20 in Mexico. She made Peru proud with this achievement and won a quota place for the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and the Qatar World Cup. 
The 21-year-old established a 4-hour 22-minute mark in a 50K marathon, and now she hopes to get the gold in Peru. “It’s exciting to participate in this Torch Relay and the Pan American Games,” she said. 

A high-voltage electric shock caused him to lose both arms when he was 17. “At first, it took me a while to figure it out, but I got ahead and was born again.” Efraín Sotacuro Quispe, with his characteristic strength, looks forward to participating in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. He proved his power and willingness at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil, where he competed at the 42K marathon and placed fourth. Now he aims to claim the gold and strengthen his passion: sports. 

Kimberly García León, aged 25, and Evelyn Inga participated in the 2019 Pan American Cup held in Mexico last April. She took the gold at the 20K marathon and a quota place for the Lima 2019 and Tokyo 2020. She told us that she has practiced sports since she was 5 and that she wakes up every day hoping to make Peru proud. “I feel very proud and motivated. My goal is to win the gold,” she said so sure before continuing the Torch Relay Route. The outstanding athlete from Huancayo was in charge of lighting the cauldron in the Huancayo Stadium, where all the citizens gathered to celebrate the Torch Route.