Gonzalez to Play for Guatemalan National Team
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami men’s tennis player Wilfredo Gonzalez will play on the Guatemalan National Team in the Bolivarian Games November 16-30, in Trujillo, Peru.
The junior will represent his native country in both singles and doubles, as he is one of the top players in his country.
“It will be an amazing experience for Wilfredo. We are very happy for him to get this experience,” said Mario Rincon, head coach.
Gonzalez’s national team experience dates back to summer of 2012. He was one of five players on the Guatemalan team to compete in the Davis Cup Group III. Gonzalez helped bring home the championship for his country.
Over the span of 15 days at the Bolivarian Games, 11 nations from Latin America will participate in 44 sports, ranging from archery to chess to judo and surfing.
According to the event’s website, the Bolivarian Games are a regional multi-sport event held in honor of Simón Bolívar – known as “El Libertador”, The Liberato.
Simón Bolívar was the leader of several independence movements throughout South America, collectively known as Bolívar’s War and he is to this day credited with leading the fight for independence in what are now the countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia, he is revered as a hero in these countries and throughout much of the rest of Hispanic America. Hence, the event is open to the 6 countries liberated by Bolívar or those born from these.
The Bolivarian Games are organized by the Bolivarian Sports Organization (ODEBO). In order to participate, all athletes must be entered by their National Olympic Committee. While all Equestrian sports are conducted in accordance with the FEI Rules.
The first Games were held in 1938 in Bogotá (COL) for the city’s 400th anniversary. They have since been held irregularly, but every four years since 1973, with the last edition in Sucre (BOL) in 2009.
Stay up to date with the Canes on HurricaneSports.com. To interact with the UM men’s tennis team socially, follow @CanesMensTennis on Twitter and like them on Facebook.com/CanesMensTennis.
