Colombia win men’s and women’s goalball titles in Peru

Colombia won both the men’s and women’s events at the first international goalball competition ever to be staged in Peru, between 20-21 May.

Organised by the National Paralympic Association of Peru (ANPP) and the Arcangeles Foundation, the event served as preparation for the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball Americas Regional Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 26 November-3 December.

In both competitions, Colombia was followed onto the podium by hosts Peru and Ecuador.

“Peru showed their growth at the Sao Paulo 2017 Youth Parapan American Games,” said ANPP President Luisa Villar. “We are confident in the work we are doing ahead of the 2019 Parapans.”

Goalball will be one of a record 17 sports to be featured at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, together with athletics, badminton, boccia, cycling, football 5-a-side, football 7-a-side, judo, powerlifting, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

Lima 2019 will be held from 23 August-1 September 2019, with a record 1,850 athletes competing.

Mexico D.F. in 1999, Mar del Plata, Argentina, in 2003, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2007, and Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2011, staged the four previous editions of the Parapan American Games.