In the early 2000s, an unknown Medical Students team made an impact in the Copa Peru, reaching the grand final - after going through historic teams like Atlético Grau and Bolognesi de Tacna - and ascended to the First Division of Peru. The following year (2001), they fought in the final of the Clausura Tournament against Cienciano; however, they lost.
However, despite their relatively good performance since their arrival in the first division, in the following years they failed to repeat their great performances and were fighting to maintain their category. Tanta fue la crisis del equipo morado que en 2004 se tuvo que fusionar con el Atlético Grau y mudarse de Ica a Piura para poder jugar sus partidos de local, aunque se separaron meses después.
The little support from the fans in Piura and the low ticket sales were determining factors that put an end to this union, which ended with the withdrawal of the Ica team in the middle of that year's local championship and, as a consequence, they were automatically relegated; in addition to receiving a three-year sanction from the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) which prevented them from participating in any local championship.
Medical Students in a match for the First Division of Peru. Photo: Líbero
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What happened to Medical Students?
The team, after the sanction, returned to the Copa Peru in 2008; unfortunately, they did not achieve the expected results and gradually declined to the Ica District League. Their last record dates back to 2014, and since then, the group has disappeared.
Which notable players played for Medical Students?
Among the most remembered are: Paul Cominges, Carlos Lobatón, Manuel Corrales, Germán Carty, Sergio Ibarra, Rafael Farfán, and Juan 'Chiquito' Flores. In addition, they had Franco Navarro as their coach in 2001 and 2003.