A Man of Few Words: Orlando Trejo

February 6, 2013

Jaime Arashiro

"I felt very bad after the Games, so I decided to change this up a bit and started looking for people that could help."

 

A man of few words, Peruvian Orlando Trejo lets his sports performance do the talking.

His history in CrossFit competition is well known. He qualified for the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games, representing Latin America. However, an injury in the first event at Pendleton had him sitting out for the rest of the competition.

This year, he wants to go further, so he has traveled to Miami, where he will join a more competitive circuit and work on skills he has to further develop.

“I felt very bad after the Games,” he says, “so I decided to change this up a bit and started looking for people that could help.”

With a 2:16 Fran, it is evident that thrusters and pull-ups are not troubling Trejo. Even with a background in Olympic weightlifting, he says he feels comfortable in 15-minute or longer workouts.

He seldom mentions his tight, strict daily routine. While he is an electronic engineering student at the National University of San Marcos, he works part time for CrossFit Peru and keeps a non-indulgent training schedule.

“I train once a day, following my box’s program, but sometimes I also include a WOD that called my attention, especially if somebody I know or admire has got a good time on it,” Trejo says. “And I know I have to include in my program, exercises I am not comfortable with.”

He says he needs to improve in workouts that have four or more movements, especially if they include wall balls, box jumps or deadlifts. And there is no question he’s been working on his swimming.

“I also want to have a better attitude towards some WODs,” he says. “My role model is Jason Khalipa. I admire his courage to face the challenges.”

He continues: “These three months, I’m going to miss Reebok CrossFit Peru. It feels like home. I train there with friends who give me moral and economic support, as well,” he says. “I promise I will be a better athlete, to give back to those from whom I received a lot.”

Trejo says his supporters from home and abroad humble him.

“There are so many people I don’t know who follow me and encourage me,” he says. “I am grateful to them, and I want to dedicate my podium to them and share the joy, the same I receive from them.”

In addition to enhancing his athletic skills, Trejo will spend his time in the United States learning English. He looks forward to the new experience and to coming back to competition this Games season.