Erick Barrondo Guatemala Rio Olympics

Erick Barrondo made his international debut at the 2011 Pan American Race Walking Cup, where he claimed the silver medal in the 20 km with a time of 1:25:56 hours.

Competing in the 2011 IAAF World Race Walking Challenge tour, he came in 13th at the Sesto San Giovanni race and then improved his personal best by over four minutes at the Dublin Race Walking Grand Prix, coming in fourth place with a time of 1:20:58 hours.

As a result of this performance, he was selected to represent Guatemala at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, being one of only two entrants from his country, alongside fellow walker Jamy Franco.

Erick Barrondo

Erick Barrondo

In the London Olympics of 2012 he won Guatemala‘s first ever Olympic medal. He came in the second place in the 20 kilometers race with the time of 1:18:57, just eleven seconds behind China’s Chen Ding, who set a new Olympic record.

Sweet Victory for Guatemala!!!!!!!! “It is the greatest blessing that life has given me… Guatemala is a country that has suffered greatly, but a country that also knows how to dream”

Guatemala’s Erick Barrondo after his historic medal win today at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, where he won the Silver Medal in the 20 Km Race. The first Olympic Medal EVER for his country of Guatemala!

Erick Barrondo

He was born in Aldea Chiyuc in the municipality of San Cristóbal Verapaz, Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala. Initially, Barrondo competed in long-distance running events, following in the footsteps of his parents.

However, he sustained an injury and was introduced to racewalking as a method of recovering. He decided to give up running and focus on walking instead. He began working with Rigoberto Medina, a Cuban coach who had trained the 2003 Pan American champion Cristina López.

Olympic Games Rio 2016

Erick Barrondo Track & fieldGuatemala