Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Jobana Soto

Upsetting news for national soccer fans as the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) announced its latest rankings, with Peru dropping 12 spots from 58th to 70th place.

Coach José “Chemo” Guillermo del Solar has been under fire for failing to improve the national soccer team in the rankings stirring some doubts in his coaching skills and rumors of his resignation a few months back.

Last week, Werder Bremen’s Claudio Pizarro publicly criticized “Chemo” saying “he’s incapable of working seriously and committed,” according to 24Hora Libre. He also commented on the National Federation of Football (FPF in its Spanish acronyms) for having a corrupt system.

The only two countries from the Americas ranked in the top 10 are Brazil, at fifth place, and Argentina, located in sixth place.

Living in Peru
Jobana Soto

Due to an upsetting goalless draw against VFL Bochum, Peruvian Claudio Pizarro vented to reporters against referee Deniz Aytekin’s call during the game.

"We played against 12 men from Bochum. The referee was a catastrophe," Pizarro told a television reporter after the match.

The insulting remarks prompted the German Football Federation to take disciplinary action against the Werder striker, hitting him with a €3,000 fine for unsporting conduct with a warning over his future conduct.

Pizarro has since showed some regret telling reporters, "on Saturday I just expressed my opinion but next time I will do so in a different manner."

Australian Stephanie Gilmore, 20, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and defending event champion, collected her second consecutive win in Peru on Tuesday after defeating Brazilian Silvana Lima, 24, to claim the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl as well as the ratings lead on the ASP Women’s World Tour.

Event No. 6 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres. by Rip Curl relocated from the primary venue in Mancora Tuesday morning to Piscina, an hour and a half south, where swell was running in the three-to-four foot (1.5 metre) range.

After building momentum throughout the day, Gilmore peaked in the Final, posting the highest heat total of the event, a 16.10 out of a possible 20, with brilliant flair and power on her backhand, to claim her second consecutive event title in Peru.

After stumbling with an equal 9th at the last ASP Women’s World Tour event in Sydney, Gilmore’s win today sees the young natural-footer back on top of the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and on course to defend her ASP Women’s World Title.

Australian Rebecca Woods, 24, current No. 7 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, scored the upset of the day, defeating former ratings leader and event favorite Peruvian surfer Sofia Mulanovich, 25, in the Quarterfinals.

“Sofia (Mulanovich) is an incredible surfer and we were surfing at Lobitos this morning and she was surfing amazing, even with an injured foot,” Woods said. “Fortunately I got a couple of good ones off the bat and was able to maintain the lead. It’s a great win for me and my first Semifinals of the year so I’m stoked.”

Australian Layne Beachley, 36, former seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 3 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, opened up her Semifinal heat with a blistering 9.00 out of a possible 10, but was unable to halt the assault of eventual winner Gilmore.

While it appears that Gilmore and Mulanovich are running away with the race for the ASP Women’s World Title, Beachley is still motivated to perform in Hawaii.

The next stop on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour is the Roxy Pro at Sunset Beach, Hawaii from November 24 – December 6, 2008.

Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres by Rip Curl Final Results:
1 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.10
2 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 14.70

Peruvian surfing sensation Sofia Mulanovich advanced Monday to the third round at the Mancora Peru Classic, event No. 6 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour.

Former ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich netted the day’s high heat total (15 points) defeating South African Rosanne Hodge (9.8) and Peruvian Valeria Solé (5.2).

Peruvian surfer Anali Gomez also qualified for the third round after her second place finish (8.75) behind Australian Stephanie Gilmore (13.4).

Sofia Mulanovich, 25, is the new frontrunner on this year’s ASP Women’s World Tour following a solid result at the last event in Sydney.

Stephanie Gilmore, 20, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and defending event champion, follows closely behind Mulanovich and will look make ground here in Mancora.

The Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres. by Rip Curl is webcast LIVE via MOVISTAR CLASSIC MANCORA PERU.

The Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl, stop No. 6 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women's World Tour, is just days from commencing, and the ASP Top 17 are preparing for a possible quick start in solid surf at the fabled lefthander of Northern Peru.

Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), 22, current No. 10 on the ASP Women's World Tour, is the only goofy-footer amongst the ASP Top 17 this year and is looking forward to the forehand advantage provided by Mancora's long lefthanders.

"Most of the waves we have on tour are righthanders and that puts me on my backhand," Miley-Dyer said. "Which is cool, I love surfing on my backhand, but I'm excited about getting to surf lefts for a change. The wave at Mancora can get really fun when the swell is up so hopefully we have some activity down there and can have a great event."

Currently rated 3rd on the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS), Miley-Dyer looks safe for requalification for the 2009 Dream Tour, but the powerful goofy-footer is keen to make up some ground on the ASP Women's World Tour

"I've had a fairly consistent year since my injury in January but faltered at home in the last event," Miley-Dyer said. "It looks like I'll be okay for qualifying through the 'QS, but I am definitely hunting for a result on the ASP Women's World Tour and think that I can secure one at Mancora."

Miley-Dyer will square off against lethal Brazilian Silvana Lima, 24, and 2008 ASP Women's World Tour rookie Nicola Atherton (AUS), 22, in Heat 2 of Round 1 when Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres. by Rip Curl action commences.

Amee Donohoe (AUS), 27, current No. 4 on the ASP Women's World Tour, is well inside the requalification bubble for the Dream Tour in 2009 and has her sights set on a Top 3 finish before the year is out.

"No complaints here," Donohoe said. "I'm loving being on tour having good times. No better way to fire up than putting your rashie on."

Despite suffering a knee injury before the last event in Sydney, Donohoe rallied, finishing equal 3rd, and is hoping to be back at full strength for the upcoming Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres. by Rip Curl.

"Since my last heat I've been couch surfing," Donohoe said. "I flew to Hawaii on the 18th and it's been flat so it's made it easy to not surf. I'm just taking it day by day, seeing how it feels really. I'm still contemplating whether or not I will go to Peru, but I'm sure the pull of a competition will get the better of me. The wave in Mancora is surrounded by desert with a million and one Sofia fans, but the wave has some serious potential - fingers crossed the tide is turning for last three events on the ASP Women's World Tour in terms of waves."

Donohoe will face veteran Jacqueline Silva (BRA), 29, and 2008 Dream Tour rookie Karina Petroni (USA), 20, in the opening Round 1 heat when Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres. by Rip Curl competition commences.

The 2008 ASP Women's World Title race is alive and tightening as the season heads down the home stretch. Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, former ASP Women's World Champion, has overtaken the ratings lead from reigning ASP Women's World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, following the last event in Australia and will hope to maintain while competing in her home country. Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, former seven-times ASP Women's World Champion and last year's runner-up in Mancora, is trailing close behind the frontrunners in the third position.

Surf forecasters are calling for a recent run of Southwest swell activity to continue through the early portion of the waiting period meaning that a possible Day 1 start in on the horizon for the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres. by Rip Curl.

The waiting period for the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres. by Rip Curl will begin Monday, November 3, 2008 and run through Saturday, November 8, 2008.

The Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres. by Rip Curl will be webcast LIVE via http://www.beachbyte.com.br/eventos/mancora08/

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Movistar Classic Mancora Peru pres by Rip Curl Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Amee Donohoe (AUS), Jacqueline Silva (BRA), Karina Petroni (USA)
Heat 2: Silvana Lima (BRA), Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS), Nicola Atherton (AUS)
Heat 3: Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Megan Abubo (HAW), TBA
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Julia De La Rosa Toro (PER), Laurina McGrath (AUS)
Heat 5: Layne Beachley (AUS), Rebecca Woods (AUS), Serena Brooke (AUS)
Heat 6: Samantha Cornish (AUS), Melanie Bartels (HAW), Rosanne Hodge (ZAF)

Click here for official press release

The ASP Top 17 are preparing to battle at stop No. 6 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl, where the cobblestone lefthander awaits the world’s best female surfers as they vie for invaluable ratings points, prize money and the highly-coveted ASP Women’s World Title.

Sofia Mulanovich (PER), 25, former ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 1 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, has recently regained the ratings lead with her 3rd place finish in the event in Sydney and now heads into her home event as the heavily-favored

“I was stoked to get ahead in the ratings after Manly and it feels good that we are going back home cause that is for sure my favorite stop on tour,” Mulanovich said. “Although I still haven’t surfed since my last heat in Sydney so I am hoping to be in the water at least two days before the competition.

The waves at Mancora are lefts and can get super fun and rippable, but they can also get not that good so I’m hoping there will be a bit of swell and if there is, I can assure you it can be one of the best stops on tour this year – it can get extremely fun.”

While her result in Sydney rocketed her into the ratings lead on the ASP Women’s World Tour, it came at a price – Mulanovich injured her foot in her Semifinal bout and has yet to surf since the incident.

“I almost pulled out a ligament that is attached to my bone in the upper part of my foot so it is still sore and I can’t really walk on my injured foot,” Mulanovich said. “The doctor said it could take six weeks, but if I take care of it, it could maybe be okay for the comp. I’m just taking it day by day and hoping it will get better – it feels better though.”

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 20, reigning ASP Women’s World Champion and current No. 2 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, suffered a disappointing 9th place finish at the last event in Sydney, relegating her to the No. 2 spot, but the Australian hopes to rebound in Mancora.

“It was disappointing to get another 9th, but the waves were pretty terrible in Manly and I believe the event finished resulting in my favor so I’m happy,” Gilmore said. “I think it’s only made me more excited to get to Peru and really showcase what I can do.”

While Mulanovich is the new frontrunner on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings and the most experienced of the ASP Top 17 in the Peruvian lefthanders, Gilmore remains confident that she can pick up another result in Mancora, citing her event victory from last season as proof.

“Sofia (Mulanovich) has gained a nice lead on us all and also gained the No.1 seed, which will be quite a lot of pressure heading into her home event,” Gilmore said. “She’s a great competitor and has been incredibly consistent this year.

No doubt she’ll be hard to stop in Mancora, but I managed to pull it off last year so I’m aiming for nothing less. I’ve changed my equipment a little bit this year and it seems to be working really well in pointbreaks so I’ll continue on with it and I’ve got a new book to read so I’m prepped for Peru.”

Julia de la Rosa Toro (PER), 26, current No. 11 on the ASP Women’s World Tour, will enter the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl for the first time as a competitor of her adopted country. Originally hailing from Southern California, De la Rosa Toro now resides in Lima, Peru with her husband, and Peruvian surfing legend, Magoo de la Rosa Toro.

“I have been waiting all year for this event,” De la Rosa Toro said. “I have been going to Northern Peru for years and Mancora is one of the first spots I surfed. My husband Magoo has a friend that lives right in front of the point and that’s where we usually stay. I think Mancora is a good venue because the wave is rippable and fun. It’s nice to have a contest where you are familiar with and are able to predict swell or changes in the wave with the tide.”

De la Rosa Toro’s Quarterfinals finish at the last event in Sydney saw the stylish natural-footer rocket up to No. 11 on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, and she’ll be looking to improve even further at home in Peru. “I’m looking to get a good result and better my current raking,” de la Rosa Toro said. “I want to get passed the Quarterfinals because I haven’t been able to pass that round yet. I was happy with Quarters in Manly, but not satisfied.”

The waiting period for the Movistar Classic Mancora Peru presented by Rip Curl will begin Monday, November 3, 2008 and run through Saturday, November 8, 2008.

CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WORLD TOUR RATINGS
1 – Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 4411 points
2 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 3948 points
3 – Layne Beachley (AUS) 3698 points
4 – Amee Donohoe (AUS) 3331 points
5 – Silvana Lima (BRA) 3194 points

Former Olympic Peruvian boxer Alberto "Chiquito" Rossel (19-7, 9 KOs) TKO'd Colombian/Ecuadorian Edwin Ortega in the fourth round and claimed the vacant UBC Intercontinental flyweight title in the main event of a boxing card presented by Jorge Bartra Souza Entertainment on Sunday at the Maria Angola Convention Center Hotel & Casino in Lima, Peru.

Ortega was down in the second round and in the fourth round referee Eugenio Guerra stopped the bout.

In other results, unbeaten Peruvian Tony "Tiger" Fernandez (27-0, 17 KOs) won a fourth round technical split decision over Colombian Segundo Moreno (12-4-2, 8 KOs) and claimed the vacant UBC Intercontinental super featherweight title.

Werder striker Claudio Pizarro’s goal to make it 2-1 for the Green-Whites in their Bundesliga clash with 1899 Hoffenheim (final score 5-4), on September 27th 2008, won the ‘Goal of the Month’ award for September.

The Peruvian front-man’s back heeled flick, following some excellent work by Markus Rosenberg, took a total of 26,1% of the votes from the viewers of ‘ARD Sportschau’ in the poll for the months best strike.

Borussia Dormund’s Alexander Frei took second place with 22,05% of the votes cast.

Mesut Özil also won a nomination for his stunning strike to make it 3-0 against Bayern Munich at the Allianz-Arena (final score 5-2) and took third place, picking up 21,13% of the votes.

Peru's number one tennis player Luis Horna moved up four places in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Rankings.

Horna is now in 97th place with 454 points, while Peru's number two tennis player Iván “Chino” Miranda climbed one place to 221st with 185 points.

Mauricio Echazú also jumped 40 positions to 691st in ATP World Rankings.

However, young Peruvian tennis player Álvaro Raposo dropped five places to 995th, while Matías Silva, who has recently retired as a professional tennis player, fell 67 positions to 996th.

Werder Bremen played out a spectacular 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund on the eighth match day of the season. Alexander Frei (59’/pen), Mats Hummels (72’) and Mohamed Zidan (92‘) were on target for the visitors, whilst Frank Baumann (68’) and Claudio Pizarro (88’/90’) did the scoring for the Green-Whites.

Werder had more of the play and possession in the first half but failed to turn their obvious optical advantage into goals. In the Green-Whites 1,500th Bundesliga game, it was the hosts who were to have the first real chance of the match.

From seemingly out of nowhere, Jakub Blaszczykowski emerged alone in front of Tim Wiese, but the keeper cleared with a stunning reflex save after captain Frank Baumann had previously cleared the ball from the goal line (25’).

In his 50th Bundesliga game, German U21 international Mesut Özil was the one causing BVB problems. The talented young winger brought the best out of Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller with a shot from 14 meters out (35’). It was an entertaining first 45 minutes but one which was ultimately to prove goal-less.

Mesut Özil was to be the first player to get a sight of the opposing goal after the break too. The midfielder’s free-kick in the 47th minute again forced a save from Weidenfeller. Just a minute later, Özil broke away again, but this time his effort from 14 meters out was blocked away by Nevan Subotic.

As is so often the case, when chances are not taken at one end, they tend to be converted at the other. BVB were awarded a penalty following a foul by Frank Baumann on Sebastian Kehl and Alexander Frei stepped up and hammered home the spot-kick to put the visitors in front (59’).

It was a setback for the Green-Whites, but only a minor one, and just nine minutes later they were back on level terms. Boenisch put a well weighted delivery into the BVB penalty area and Werder captain Frank Baumann (68') flicked the ball home with a glancing header to even the scores.

Just minutes later though, the Black and Yellows were in front again, as Mats Hummels combined with Blaszczkowski to make it 2-1 for Dortmund (72’).

The closing minutes of the tie were to prove unforgettable. Firstly Pizarro scored a stunning close-range brace (88’/90’) to turn the tie in Bremen’s favour for the first time on the day, but with the Green-White fateful baying for the final whistle, Dortmund hit back to with a last gasp equaliser.

Wiese got both fists to a cross from the left but could only deflect the ball into the path of the on-rushing Zidan (92), who drilled home from 12 meters out to make the final score 3-3.