Six Chilean athletes to look out for at Rio 2016

The South American country will take its largest delegation ever to a Paralympic Games. 28 Jun 2016
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Cristian Dettoni of Chile

Cristian Dettoni of Chile

ⒸITTF
By IPC

With Chile heading to Rio 2016 with its largest Paralympic delegation ever, here are six athletes to keep an eye out for when the Paralympics take place between 7 and 18 September.

Athletics – Cristian Valenzuela

The 33-year-old won gold in the 5,000m T11 at London 2012, Chile’s only medal at a Paralympic Games, and is widely expected to repeat that success at Rio 2016 after claiming the world title last year. Canada’s Jason Dunkerley, who defeated Valenzuela at the Toronto 2015 Parapan Ams, will be his toughest opponent.

Athletics – Margarita Faundez

Since winning gold at the Santiago 2014 Para South American Games, the 28-year-old has shown a rapidly improving form. The following year, she claimed the Parapan American title and sealed bronze in the 1,500m T12/13 at the World Championships, in Doha, Qatar. With a personal best of 4:51.88, Faundez is likely to climb the podium again in Rio.

Powerlifting – Jorge Carinao

Carinao will probably never forget the year 2015. The 25-year-old (men’s up to 54kg) started the year winning silver at the IPC Powerlifting Americas Open Championships and then went on to break the Americas record (148kg) on his way to gold at Toronto 2015. Despite his youth, Carinao aims to make a splash at Rio 2016.

Powerlifting – Juan Carlos Garrido

In recent years, the 36-year-old has cemented himself as one of the world’s strongest powerlifters in the men’s up to 59kg. 2014 was a breakthrough year for Garrido, who sealed gold at the Para South American Games and finished fifth at the World Championships. In 2015, he became Parapan American champion and, earlier in 2016, he won his first World Cup, in Rio.

Table Tennis – Cristian Dettoni

Chile’s only Guadalajara 2011 gold medallist will compete at his second Paralympic Games, in Rio, after being eliminated on the group stage at London 2012. With four more years of experience under his belt, Dettoni is hoping this time to advance into the next round.

Table Tennis – Matias Pino Lorca

At only 19 years old, Para South American silver medallist Pino Lorca has already won a Parapan American title. Whilst he studies to become a pharmacist, Chile’s most promising table tennis player seeks to gain experience in Rio ahead of future Paralympic Games.

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Sport fans from around the world can now buy their Paralympic tickets for Rio 2016 from authorised ticket resellers (ATRs)

The IPC’s Global ATR is Jet Set Sports, and Rio 2016 tickets and packages can be purchased on the CoSport website.

Residents of Brazil can buy 2016 Paralympics tickets directly from the Rio 2016 website.

Visa International is the exclusive payment card and the official payment system for the Paralympic Games.