LIMA, August 31, 2024 - At just 19 years old, Benjamín Aravena is making a name for himself as one of Chile’s brightest prospects in athletics. The young sprinter has demonstrated remarkable talent both nationally and across South America, culminating in a standout performance at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima.

The event, held at the Videna Athletics Stadium, drew athletes from 136 countries, with over 1,700 competitors under the age of 20 vying for top honors. Aravena emerged as a double world semi-finalist, finishing as the top Latin American sprinter in both the 100 and 200 meters.

On the opening day of competition, Aravena made an impressive debut in the 100 meters. He finished second in his heat with a time of 10.45 seconds, narrowly behind Jamaica's Gary Card (10.40). This performance secured his place in the semifinals. Although he did not make it to the medal round, he finished fifth in his semifinal heat with a time of 10.59 seconds, placing 14th overall and marking him as the leading Latin American sprinter in the event.

Aravena continued to shine in the 200-meter dash, qualifying for the semifinals once again. He was eighth in his heat and finished 15th overall, once more standing out as the best Latin American sprinter.

“I want to elevate my country, my city, and Latin America on the global stage. This has been my dream since I was young, and I’m also aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games,” Aravena said after the competition.

CINDER TRACK Hailing from Linares, a city 306 kilometers from Santiago, Chile’s capital, Aravena trains on a basic running surface, a cinder track, due to the lack of proper facilities in his hometown. Despite these challenges, he has become one of the top sprinters in Latin America.

Aravena currently holds the Chilean U20 national record for the 100 meters with a time of 10.35 seconds, approaching the adult record of 10.10 seconds set by Sebastián Keitel. He has also secured double gold in the 100 and 200 meters at the South American U20 Championship in Lima 2024 and the Bolivarian Youth Games in Sucre 2024.

DREAM COME TRUE “Coming from Linares, where conditions are less favorable than in other places, hasn’t been a barrier. We don't have a proper track, but that hasn’t stopped me from pursuing my passion and meeting my training goals. Competing at a World Cup level without having an ideal track proves that there are no obstacles to achieving one’s dreams,” he stated.

Reflecting on his World Championships experience, Aravena said: “I didn’t fully grasp the significance of being a double world semi-finalist until now. My coach, Luis Cerda, reminded me of this achievement, and while I aimed for the final, I am proud of how far I’ve come. Looking ahead, we plan to push further, aiming to qualify for the finals and be among the top five in the world.”