Ángelo Caro: the day he returned to Chiclayo and how a skatepark reconciled him with his father so many years later

The best Peruvian athlete of the last Olympic Games He can travel on vacation to the beach, continue to add sponsors, buy a house for his mother, but there are luxuries that only he understands. Paradises that only he sees. It is noon in Monsefú, a city 763 kilometers north of Lima where right now 23 degrees shines in the shade and where right now, the 23,561 inhabitants of the area have heard rumors of an extraterrestrial news: Angelo Caro, fifth place in skateboarding in Tokyo 2021, born in Lambayeque, will walk with his board in a park in the area. Incognito. One of them, Mr. Raúl Távara, leans on his crutch at the door of his house, murmurs something with his young children and from there he sees everything that has happened: the Angelo Caro exhibition, the contest to choose the new talent adidas among the five best skaters from Chiclayo, the cumbia orchestra that made a place for itself among the 300 monsefuanos to welcome you.

When all that happens Angelo Caro he approaches Mr. Távara and between them, with that musical touch that drags the last syllables, a dialogue occurs that must be reviewed when in the next Olympics, the Peruvian fights for a gold medal.

“Congratulations, boy.” Continue like this, carrying the name of Peru to the top.

-Thank you very much sir! And congratulations. Live in paradise: I would give anything to have a house like yours in front of a skatepark.

Ángelo Caro takes a selfie with Mr. Távara, who combs his hair for the shot and that’s it. Behind there is dust that rises simulating a whirlwind and a couple of carob trees. Also, about 50 boys who have been waiting for him in the new Monsefú skatepark that the Peruvian has just reopened. He has already given away five Jart boards and now, since he has nothing else to give, he gives the best he has: the shoes of his latest pirouettes.

He takes them out and gives them away.

***

Brief biographical review of Angelo Caro since the Olympic world learned of his talent: he turned 22 on August 28 and moved in with Andrea, his girlfriend, a young Stomatology student. The 2022 Skate World Cup and the Pan American Games in Colombia in November are already on the agenda. A few weeks ago, as part of his bond with adidas, he found a way to give back all that this sport has done for him: reopening, renovated, what was the old Monsefú Youth Park, Chiclayo and turn it into a skatepark. “Nothing is impossible,” he told the 300 young Monsefuanos who, with their carpenter pants, their caps snapback and their smiles in permanent peace, they listened to him with attention. As if he were a prophet. Or just one of them.

—How do you feel seeing so many guys for whom you are an inspiration, a role model?

—I feel more motivated than ever to represent Peru in all competitions. And continue to inspire the skate community. Until very recently, this sport was not only not Olympic but frowned upon. How are you going to be a skater! They told me. Not now. And here in Chiclayo there is a lot of talent.

—Has your life changed a lot since you were fifth in Tokyo 2021?

—I’m still the same. I have been able to know other countries, know other cultures. Help to my family. To become independent. Yes indeed. I am not buying things. My skate is enough. I am not one of luxuries. I save my money to have projects later, like this one in Chiclayo.

– How is your relationship with Sofía Mulanovich, after the Games?

—We don’t talk so much but we both share the spirit of two very similar sports. In fact, we have agreed on something that can be very cool: I am going to teach her to skateboard and she will give me a surf lesson.

—What is the goal in the next Olympics?

Medal. What happened was incredible, the connection of the people, my cell phone exploded. Now I just have to train myself. I want that medal on the neck for Peru.

The interview is interrupted because, in Angelo Caro’s new life, he now has to sign autographs.

***

The day will end shortly: the Monsefú skatepark is a reality, and Ángelo Caro has to take a vacation. Perhaps this trip north has been more healing than he thinks. Just today, September 28, is your father’s birthday. He has told it, without giving more details: his family separated when he was 3 years old and he was only able to meet the famous Lambayecan radio host when he was 10. His name was Enrique Caro, Kike. It was called because it already died.

—What were you thinking about the flight to Chiclayo?

I was thinking about … Look. This day is very important to me. I remember my dad very much. He was a well-known announcer in Chiclayo and although my parents separated and all that, just today, due to coincidences in life, is his birthday. I know what it is for something, it is not a coincidence. He wanted me to come here to the place where I was born and raised. To celebrate their birthdays and have a good time skateboarding.

Look at the sky and that’s it. He is the best four-wheel driver in the country where he must live dodging potholes, motorcycles, combis, problems. In the name of the father then.

Angelo Caro and why nothing is impossible

Impossible is Nothing is much more than a campaign; represents the attitude and evolution of the adidas brand. In that idea, Angelo Caro fit perfectly. Impossible is Nothing is the life of the Peruvian skateboarder: an irrepressible optimism, rooted in adidas’ purpose to show that sport has the power to change lives. Angelo had to endure the prejudices towards skateboarding and the lack of resources to dedicate himself to this sport, but he always did it with an optimistic attitude and saw possibilities instead of focusing on the barriers. So he and adidas are one now.