Peruvian sports celebrities are held in high regard in their homeland. Here are some of the most famous people from Peru from the sporting disciplines of soccer, volleyball, tennis, boxing and surfing.
Peruvian Soccer – Famous people from Peru and Peruvian Sports
Soccer is the most popular sport in Peru, and Teófilo Cubillas is arguably the most respected Peruvian soccer player of all time. At his peak in the Seventies, Cubillas was nominated South American Footballer of the Year in 1972, and helped Peru win the Copa America in 1975. A technically gifted all-round midfielder, Cubillas was named in Pelé’s 125 Greatest Living Footballers list in 2004, and remains one of the most famous Peruvians of modern times.
The most famous Peruvian soccer players of the last 10 years include Nolberto Solano, Claudio Pizzaro and Juan Manuel Vargas. All three have played in European football leagues and for the national team. Solano is arguably the better known largely due to his years with Newcastle United and the sheer longevity of his career.
Peruvian Volleyball – Famous Peruvian Sports Celebrities
Volleyball is the second most popular Peruvian sport, and the most popular amongst women. Cecilia Tate and Gabriela Pérez del Solar both featured in the Peruvian Olympic volleyball team that won silver in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Both moved into Peruvian politics, cementing their reputations as two of the most famous people in Peru.
Peruvian Tennis – Famous Peruvians from the Tennis Court
While Alex Olmedo represented the USA in the Davis Cup in the 1950’s, he was both born and raised in Peru. His inclusion in the US team raised many eyebrows, many US sports journalists appalled by the inclusion of a foreign citizen. Olmedo won both the Wimbledon and Australian singles titles in 1959 and, despite being recorded as a US player, was the first Latin American to win at Wimbledon.
While never quite reaching the heights of Olmedo, famous Peruvian sportsman Jaime Yzaga managed to reach the quarter-finals of both the 1991 Australian Open and the 1994 US Open. Remembered particularly for having beaten Pete Sampras, in retirement Yzaga is still one of the celebrities of Peruvian sports.
Peruvian Boxing – Kina Malpartida, Peruvian Sports Celebrity
While not well known as a boxing nation, Kina Malpartida has put Peru back on the boxing map. Initially earning a reputation as a surfer, all-round sportswoman Malpartida found her calling when she stepped into the ring. Her first professional fight came in 2003 and since then she has risen rapidly in the sport.
In February, 2009, Malpartida won the World Boxing Association World Championship Super Featherweight Title at Madison Square Garden in New York. Malpartida successfully defended her title in June, 2009, making her one of the most famous people in Peru, and especially in Peruvian sports, today.
Peruvian Surfing – Sofía Mulánovich
In 2004 Sofía Mulánovich finished the professional surfing season as World Champion, cementing her place in the top ranks of international surfing. Her status as one of the most famous Peruvian sports stars was further enhanced in 2007 when she became the first South American to be entered into the Surfers Hall of Fame.
For more famous Peruvians have a look at Famous Peruvian Actors and Actresses. To find out more about Peru's greatest hero read the short biography of Miguel Grau. Or, for some more historical figures, have a look at the famous Peruvians who appear on Peruvian banknotes.
Tony Dunnell - Tony Dunnell is a freelance writer and a specialist in South American travel. He has two Peru blogs, howtoperu.com and tarapotolife.com
