Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Peru's Julio Granda wins Benasque Chess Tournament in Spain

Peru's grandmaster Julio Ernesto Granda won the "Villa de Benasque" international chess event in Zaragoza, Spain, on Sunday.

The Peruvian grandmaster brought home the honor after beating Serbian Branco Samljanovic.

A bishop move gave Granda the tournament’s title after achieving 8.5 points.

"People paid special attention to this game, because they knew it could be the final game to win the title. I couldn't waste such an opportunity," Granda said on a local radio program.

On the other hand, the Peruvian chess player asked for more support from government bodies and corporations to continue making progress in chess.

Granda also congratulated the Peruvian chess team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Pan American Games in Argentina.

News source: ANDINA

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Peru's Sofia Mulanovich to battle Stephanie Gilmore at US Open

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Two of the world's greatest female surfers are getting ready to meet this month at this year's Women's Honda US Open of Surfing, which is to be held at Huntington Beach, California.

Ranked number one and two in the world, Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich and Australian Stephanie Gilmore will meet once again in a clash that is sure to please the hundreds of thousands of spectators that will be watching as the two pros battle for the Women's US Open crown.

In 2006, Mulanovich, who has been surfing the event since she was 14 years old, defeated Jessi Dyer to bring home the crown while Gilmore took the honor in 2007.

The Honda US Open of Surfing presented by O'Neill draws over 400,000 spectators annually and is considered North America's highest-rated qualifying event as well as the globe's biggest professional surfing competition.

The competition, which is in its 15th edition, is to take place from July 23 - 26 and will attract the highest ranked female surfers from around the world along with some spectacular new surfers.

Julia De La Rosa, a Peruvian-American that surfs representing the Andean country, will also be competing in the event.

With 732 points, De La Rosa is currently ranked number 9 in the world.

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Peru's Luis Horna wins Challenger Lugano in Switzerland

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Luis Horna, Peru's number one tennis player has proven once again to tennis fans in the Andean nation and around the world that he will continue battling for a number one spot in the world.

He did just that after he defeated French player Nicolás Devilder to win this year's Challenger Lugano, an outdoor clay-court tennis tournament held annually in Switzerland since 1999.

Even though Horna had been eliminated in the first round of Wimbledon, he came back strong in the challenger event and defeated Devilder in a match which only lasted two sets.

Challenger Lugano has never seen a Peruvian champion or runner-up in the history of the event.

With a 7-6, 6-1 victory over Devilder, who is ranked 100 in the world, Horna was the first.

Not only did the Peruvian player bring home another international title, he also moved up almost 20 positions - to number 74 in the world - in the ATP world ranking.

After winning the French Open in June, Luis Horna was recently honored with Peru's Laureles deportivos, the highest recognition an athlete can receive from the Peruvian government.

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WWE: HHH, John Cena & Shawn Michaels wrestle in Lima, Peru

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Thousands of Peruvian wrestling fans gathered at the National Stadium in Lima on Thursday night to see their favorite WWE stars in action.

Approximately 15,000 wrestling fans enthusiastically yelled at the top of their lungs after Mr. Kennedy challenged the audience to be the loudest fans in this year's SummerSlam tour.

The majority of the crowd was made up of minors, who were dazzled and amazed as superstars John Cena and HHH battled throughout the ring, jumping off top ropes and violently slamming into each other.

It was not all cheers, however.

There was a shocking moment of silence when wrestler Carlitos, who was in Lima just weeks earlier promoting the tour, challenged any Peruvian to get in the ring with him.

There were no volunteers.

The show did not end with men's wrestling. The "Beautiful Divas of Wrestling" were also present, showing their strength, moves and special holds.

One of the evening's highlights was the match between Mickie James and Marella.

Fans were also delighted and shouted ecstatically when the Peruvian flag was waved around the ring after a fight between Chris Jericho and the Heart Break Kid.

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Pizarro, Farfan & Acasiete allowed to play for Peru's football team again

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

The Justice Commission for Peru's National Football Federation reduced an eighteen-month ban that had been placed on three of the country's national team players.

Forwards Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan along with defender Santiago Acasiete had an eighteen month ban reduced to three months after a judge decided they were sorry for what they had done.

Striker Andres Mendoza, on the other hand, was not let off so easily.

The commission did not reduce his sentence and affirmed the player would not be allowed to play with the national team for approximately another year.

It was reported that this was not the first time Mendoza had been found breaking regulations.

Miguel Morales, head of the Justice Commission affirmed that Mendoza had not taken responsibility for his actions and did not show remorse.

Pizarro - a striker for Chelsea, Farfan - who was recently added to the roster of Germany's Schalke 04 and Acasiete - a defender for UD Almería in La Liga are now eligible to play against Venezuela and Argentina with the national team in September.

Furthermore, the fine placed on the three players has been reduced from $20,000 to $10,000. The money is to be donated to a children's hospital.

The four players were banned for playing for almost two years after reports surfaced that they had taken part in a party one day before they were routed by Ecuador 5-1.

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Peru: Universitario wins Apertura Tournament after 6 years

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Universitario de Deportes, a first division football club in Peru, won on Wednesday evening the Torneo Apertura - the first of two half-year tournaments held in the country annually.

After over 90 minutes of grueling play, Universitario de Deportes, more commonly known as Universitario or just "La U", brought home its first championship in six years after it took out Cienciano del Cusco 3-1.

Peru's Estadio Monumental, which is Universitario's home stadium, was jammed packed with ecstatic fans as they rooted for La U and cheered relentlessly as Héctor "Vagón" Hurtado, Jorge Araujo and Mayer Candelo scored the three points that earned the team their championship.

Universitario took control of the game early in the match, scoring their first goal in the 28th minute of play. The following goal was scored by Araujo in the 45th minute of the match.

Cienciano's Jorge Vasallo responded with a goal in the 63rd minute but all hope was lost when Mayer Candelo put the nail in the coffin during the 71st minute of the match.

After winning 15 of the 22 games they have played - losing 2 and ending 5 in ties - football players for La U have earned the team 50 points in the first half of Peru's football season.

When the final whistle was blown, the team ran a lap around the stadium and than gathered on the field for a prayer.

El "Vagón" Hurtado led his team as they thanked God for their win.

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Peru to reward gold medal winners at Beijing Olympics $50,000

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

In an effort to acknowledge the dedication and hard work put forth by the Peruvian athletes that will represent the Andean country at the Beijing Olympic events, the Peruvian Sports Institute has announced a series of rewards for the country's athletes.

Money prizes, scholarships and national recognition rewards will be granted to athletes that achieve first, second or third place at this year's Olympic Games.

It was announced that coaches and trainers would also be rewarded.

Peruvian athletes that win a gold medal at the Olympics will not only bring home the honor of a win but will also receive a $50,000 reward along with Laureles Deportivos - the highest award a Peruvian athlete can receive from the country's government.

Furthermore, the athlete will receive a two-year scholarship (worth approximately $20,000) to study or continue training as well as another 50,000 soles.

The athlete's trainer will be rewarded $12,000.

Silver medal winners will receive a $25,000 and 25,000-sol reward along with a $10,000 scholarship to study or continue training.

In the case of a silver medal, the coach is to be rewarded $6,000.

Bronze medal winners will be awarded $12,500, 12,500 soles and a $5,000 scholarship. Coaches are to receive a $3,000.

There are approximately one dozen Peruvian athletes that will be traveling to Beijing for the Olympic Games.

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Peru's Diego Penny signs with England's Burnley Football Club

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

After solving some unexpected complications with his work permit, Peru's Diego Penny officially completed signing a deal with England's Burnley Football Club.

There were doubts the 6ft 5in goalkeeper for Coronel Bolognesi, a first division Peruvian football club, would be able to complete the signing after his work permit was denied.

Clarets boss Owen Coyle felt that Penny would qualify for an automatic work permit.

He was surprised, however, when the Peruvian player was denied because he fell slightly short of required criteria.

"Last year he was rested due to a minor injury for two games and those meant he fell just slightly short of the required criteria," said Coyle.

After making over 150 appearances with the Peruvian club, "Bolo's" team captain signed a three-year contract with Burnley F.C. for an undisclosed amount.

Sportinglife quoted Coyle as stating, "We are absolutely delighted with the outcome. The chairman and I attended the hearing and the panel were very receptive to what we had to say. I think they saw that Diego Penny could have a big future at Burnley Football Club and we thank them for their decision."

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Peru's Juan Vargas signs with Fiorentina for €12 million

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

After months of uncertainty and rumors that Peru's Juan Vargas would be picked up by teams such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, the Catania midfielder finally signed with a new club.

After two seasons with Catania and Pietro Lo Monaco, the Italian club's sporting director, it was reported Wednesday evening that Vargas had signed with Fiorentina.

Juan Vargas, who has proven to be a dangerously versatile player, has inked a five-year contract in which - not including performance related bonuses - he is to get paid €900,000 per season.

Fiorentina and Catania reached a deal over the Peruvian winger in which it was established that La Viola would pay €12 million for Vargas.

Despite the fact that Real Madrid had shown interest in bagging the 24-year-old player, it was reported that he was set on playing for Fiorentina.

Viola's president Andrea Della Valle affirmed that Vargas had stated that he wanted to wear the Fiorentina jersey on several occasions.

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"Saving Peru's football selection is a matter of National Pride"

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

"It's a matter of national pride, we can't remain in idleness as usual, we all complain but we don't do anything. It's time to act."

This is the introduction to a website that has been established with the sole purpose of "Saving Peru's National Football Team" by reorganizing the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF).

Like many have proposed, the website suggests that the president of the FPF, Manuel Burga resign. Not only are fans looking to replace the FPF president, but other representatives as well.

 "Get out Burga, get out Juvenal, get out Mallqui" is one of the websites man messages. Furthermore, fans have requested that the country's head coach, Jose Guillermo del Solar "resign out of dignity".

Burga is compared to the general manager of a company. "What happens when the general manager of a company does not achieve favorable results?, he is fired!"

In an effort to move their cause forward, fans have set up the website and are receiving the names of people that support them.

With the hope that Burga and his associates will be fired, they will then send their petition to FIFA and Peru's congressional representatives.

Peru is currently ranked last in the South America FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

It is the country that has scored the least number of goals and is in second place for having been scored on the most.

The Andean country has not seen a FIFA World Cup in almost three decades.

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