Alonso Wong, Peruvian judoka and Lima 2019 medalist, is going through a difficult time after being separated from the Federation for allegedly assaulting a worker. This version was that of the alleged victim, who filed a formal complaint. However, the athlete spoke with RPP Noticias and not only denied that possibility, but also presented evidence to confirm his position, which states that he was not the aggressor, but the attacked one. What happened that March 14? This is the word of the national athlete.
How did the events unfold?
The facts arose because Mr. José Ramírez Pérez, driver of the Peruvian Judo Federation, was secretly taking photos of me, and without my consent, on many occasions. On March 10, I realized that he was the one taking me and, when he realized that I saw him, he ran out of the training room, raising my suspicions. That same day, I complained to the coaches about this uncomfortable situation, but it seems that they did not tell him anything, since on March 14, at 4:40 p.m., I saw him again inside the training compound, prior to start the last session of the day. I approached his ear and demanded what right he had to dare to take pictures of me. The man, instead of giving me an explanation, began to insult me and shake his head. I separated. The man approached me again and, immediately, a colleague came over to separate us. My partner hugged me and moved away from the attempt. That was when the man hit me with his fist behind the left ear (see legal doctor’s certificates).
The complaint made against you is for assault. Was there aggression on your part?
There was no aggression on my part. The only thing I did was to separate myself from this gentleman, as I am aware that, with my strength and knowledge of a martial art, I could severely harm him. The man was the first to raise his hand to me.
Did you file a formal complaint as soon as the events occurred? If you didn’t, why?
I did not make a formal complaint. I didn’t even think about doing it because, immediately after, we started the physical training session, since we did judo in the morning hours. I did not do it because, for me, it was a minor fight, since I only forbade him to take photos of me without my consent. I had permission from Legacy 19 and the coaches to do it (lay on the mat), since, on March 10, the Head of the Technical Unit approached me to tell me to rest without any problems. The training sessions were very intense, I live in the Center of Lima, gasoline has gone up in price and, apart from that, I had physical therapy an hour before starting the last training session, that’s why I stayed in Videna, like any high-level athlete. performance.
You mention that on the 10th you find out that he is the one who takes your photos. How did you previously know someone was taking pictures of you?
One of the attendees, who was hired by the Head of the Technical Unit, sent the photo to the Whastapp group of Judo Peru, of which I am not a part. (see photo below). My colleagues sent it to me, telling me they were taking pictures of me. I still didn’t know who, but on Thursday, March 10, I realized, along with a colleague, that it was the driver of the Federation who did it. They lied that, supposedly, Legado 19 had sent complaints that we slept on the tatamis (mats). That is false, because I personally spoke with the administrator and he told me that at no time did the security officers take photos. Besides, they cannot enter the premises, but only see from the entrance door, and those photos are from inside. I had also taken a photo of a colleague of mine, who was also a medalist in the last Pan American Games. The lady was uncomfortable with this. She asked him why and the man told her: “I get paid to do this.”
Are you prohibited from resting on the mats? Is it a foul?
There is no statute or written regulation that prohibits high-performance athletes from taking a moment to rest on the mat prior to training. Even the technical assistants rest on the mat. Besides, the Federation cannot sanction anyone without due process of law.
What did they tell you about the Federation?
They didn’t tell me anything. They simply told me not to return to the training ground until the President of the Federation speaks with me, but without warning, the rest were informed that I had been excluded from the national team and, for the same reason, I would not compete in the Pan American, which will be in two weeks, in the capital.
Do you have witnesses to your version?
Yes, I have two witnesses who also felt harassed for taking photos of them. One of them is even a minor. (see affidavit). They both live in Callao and it is clear why they stayed in Videna when we trained two to three sessions a day. My other colleague, who separated us, is afraid to speak because he is coerced that, if he speaks, they can take away his financial support and remove him from the shelter. It is something that several colleagues communicate to me. For this reason, they tell me that I should be the one to talk to the Federation, to try to solve it. But it seems that these opinions don’t like them and they look for ways to annoy us, like what happened this time with me.
Is this the first time you have been involved in a complaint of assault?
Actually, yes. She had never set foot in a police station before. On the other hand, the man who reported me for assault does have a criminal record for psychological assault on his ex-partner.
Was the worker in question also suspended?
I have no idea if he is suspended or not, although it seems to me that he is, from what my colleagues have told me.
Do you have any idea why I was taking those pictures of you? Did you have any previous problems with him?
I have no idea for what purpose he was taking pictures of me. I do not know that man, I have only seen him on a few occasions. And I think that he is angry with me because a long time ago I complained about his boss (Head of the Technical Unit of the Federation), because he abused his supposed authority when, after the last Olympics, I was taking final exams. .
What are you talking about?
I went to train and he called one of his assistants to take me out of training, while I was already practicing, and (he said) not to come back until the man wanted to talk to me again. The Head of the Technical Unit did not even fulfill his duty, since he did not go to training. He almost never showed up there. I made my complaint on social networks for that and sent me a notarized letter asking me to retract. I never did, but I did archive the content on my social media.
Are there cameras in the Federation that may have recorded what happened?
Inside the Judo hall (Dojo), there is none. Only (there are) in the corridors, but the incident happened inside and lasted between 20 to 30 seconds.
Is there a way to reverse this situation?
The only way to reverse this situation is for them to retract, since the Peruvian Judo Federation tarnished my image and reputation by defaming me on social media and in the press, saying that they excluded me from the Pan American for having attacked a Federation worker.
How does his decision hurt you?
It harms my physical condition, since training in the High Performance Center is not the same as training on my own. In the psychological part too, since I fell into a depression that I never thought I would have. However, with the support of my family and friends, I am slowly getting over it. In addition, my sports performance could drop, despite how well I’ve been training since January, with the new coach who demanded the maximum from me to win this year’s Pan American. Besides, I wouldn’t know when I would compete again. What interests me is to return to training and prepare for the Olympic qualification, which begins in June 2022, with international events.
