The Peruvian delegation that traveled to the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 is made up of 29 athletes. Several have already competed, giving their best, however, medals have been elusive until now. What has been the best performance of a Peruvian so far?
There is more than one performance to highlight. First and foremost is David Torrence, who illustrated one of the best pages in modern Peruvian athletics history at the Olympic Games by qualifying for the finals in the 5,000 meters event in Rio 2016.
Torrence, with a time of 13:23.20, a new national record in the distance, finished in 10th position in the second of the two qualification heats for the finals, and secured the last ticket in the repechage based on time.
In the final (Saturday at 7:30 p.m.) there will be fifteen competitors and Torrence will aspire to equal or improve upon the best Peruvian result in Olympic athletics, which dates back to London 1948, when Eduardo Julve finished twelfth in the discus throw.
It is his debut in the Olympic Games and previously he had won a silver medal in the 5,000 meters event at the Pan American Games last year in Toronto.
His time on Wednesday is a new Peruvian record, but not Torrence's best mark, which was 13:16.53 before acquiring his new nationality.
Born in Okinawa (Japan), he grew up in the United States, with a father from that country and a Peruvian mother from Huancayo. His father died when he was six years old and the influence of his mother and maternal family made him grow up in what he called "a little Peru," due to the great influence on his culture and customs.
TEJEDA, ANOTHER PROUD ACHIEVEMENT
In the women's Olympic marathon held this Saturday in Rio 2016, Gladys Tejeda finished in 15th place with a time of 2:29:55. In this way, the athlete born in Junín was the highest-placed Latin American in this 42-kilometer event.
This position has allowed her to surpass Mexican athlete Adriana Fernández, who had finished in 16th place in the marathon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
It should be noted that Gladys Tejeda has the highest position (15th), although not the best time achieved by a Latin American in this event, since she could not surpass the 2:28:54 achieved by Peruvian athlete Inés Melchor in London 2012. Peru now holds the highest position and the best Latin American Olympic record. Tremendous pride.
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