Tania Norelia Guasace: Bolivia’s Multi-Event Athletics Star

Tania Norelia Guasace is a versatile Bolivian track and field athlete who has emerged as one of her country’s most promising talents in middle-distance running and multi-event competition. Born on November 2, 2001, she is currently 23 years old and specializes in middle-distance running, though her athletic repertoire extends across multiple disciplines.

Athletic Specializations and Versatility

Guasace demonstrates remarkable versatility across numerous track and field events. Her competitive disciplines include long jump, 800 metres short track, 400 metres short track, 5 kilometres road, 100 metres hurdles, 200 metres, and 400 metres. This broad range of events showcases her exceptional athletic ability and adaptability, making her a valuable asset to Bolivia’s national athletics program.

Personal Bests and Achievement Progression

Guasace has achieved notable personal bests that demonstrate her continuous improvement as an athlete:

• 800 metres: 2:08.90, achieved on September 25, 2021, in Cochabamba
• 800 metres (Indoor): 2:19.19, set on February 5, 2022, in Cochabamba
• 400 metres hurdles: 61.81 seconds, achieved on April 2, 2022, in Cochabamba
• 400 metres: 54.91 seconds, set on April 1, 2023

Early International Career and Development

Guasace’s international athletics journey began in earnest in 2021. Her first international experience came at the 2021 U23 South American Championships in Guayaquil, where she finished sixth in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:14.62. This debut performance demonstrated her potential on the continental stage.

Shortly after her international debut, she competed in the inaugural Pan American Junior Games in Cali, where she placed eighth in the 800 metres with a time of 2:14.98. These early experiences provided valuable exposure to high-level international competition and helped establish her as a rising talent in South American athletics.

Record-Breaking Achievements

South American Record Holder

Guasace’s most significant achievement to date came as part of Bolivia’s 4x400m relay team. She currently holds the South American record in the 4x400m short track relay with a time of 3:47.37, achieved on February 20, 2022. This historic performance took place during the 2022 South American Indoor Championships in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

At the 2022 South American Indoor Championships in Cochabamba, she not only helped Bolivia win gold in the 4x400m relay but also set a new South American record with a time of 3:47.36 (noted as 3:47.37 in some sources). The achievement was particularly significant as it marked Bolivia’s prominence in regional relay competition and demonstrated the strength of the country’s women’s middle-distance program.

National Championships Success

In 2022, Guasace became the Bolivian indoor champion in the 800-meter run, cementing her status as the country’s leading middle-distance runner. This national title reflects her dominance in Bolivian athletics and her role as a key figure in the country’s track and field program.

Multi-Event Success and Competitive Range

2022 Continental Achievements

The year 2022 proved to be a breakthrough period for Guasace. At the 2022 South American Indoor Championships in Cochabamba, she placed fourth in the 800m with a time of 2:20.52, demonstrating her consistency at the continental level.

Later in 2022, she expanded her competitive range to include hurdles events. At the U23 South American Championships in Cascavel in September, she finished seventh in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 64.06 seconds. This performance showcased her versatility and ability to compete successfully across different technical disciplines.

South American Games Performance

Shortly after her U23 Championships performance, Guasace competed at the South American Games in Asunción, where she achieved fourth place in the 400m hurdles with an improved time of 62.20 seconds. This progression from 64.06 to 62.20 in a matter of weeks demonstrated her rapid development and competitive momentum.

Recent Competitive Achievements

2023 Performance Improvements

Guasace continued her upward trajectory in 2023. She achieved a personal best of 54.91 seconds in the 400 metres on April 1, 2023, showing significant improvement in her speed over the one-lap distance. Additionally, she helped Bolivia achieve a time of 3:44.97 in the 4x400m relay on September 2, 2023, demonstrating the continued strength of Bolivia’s relay program.

Training Base and Athletic Environment

Guasace primarily trains in Cochabamba, Bolivia, which has proven to be an excellent environment for her development. The high-altitude training conditions in Bolivia, particularly in Cochabamba, provide unique advantages for middle-distance runners and have contributed to her success in events requiring both speed and endurance.

The fact that she has achieved many of her personal bests and significant performances in Cochabamba suggests both the quality of training facilities available there and her comfort competing in familiar conditions.

International Competition Experience

Guasace’s international competition resume includes major continental championships across different age categories. Her participation in U23 championships, Pan American Junior Games, South American Indoor Championships, and South American Games demonstrates her consistent presence on the international stage and her value as a representative of Bolivian athletics.

Athletic Development and Future Prospects

At 23 years old, Guasace represents significant potential for Bolivia’s athletics future. Her combination of middle-distance speed, hurdling technique, and relay experience positions her well for continued success in multiple disciplines. Her progression from 2021 to 2023 shows consistent improvement and suggests that her peak performance years may still be ahead.

Bolivia’s Athletics Context

Guasace’s achievements come as part of Bolivia’s broader effort to establish itself in South American athletics. Her South American record in the 4x400m relay represents a significant milestone for Bolivian track and field and demonstrates the country’s potential to compete successfully at the continental level.

Her success also highlights the effectiveness of Bolivia’s athletic development programs and the quality of coaching and facilities available to emerging athletes in the country.

Competitive Philosophy and Approach

Guasace’s willingness to compete across multiple disciplines – from 200m sprints to 5km road races, from hurdles to long jump – demonstrates an approach to athletics that values versatility and comprehensive development. This multi-event capability makes her particularly valuable for team competitions and provides multiple pathways for achieving success at major championships.

Tania Norelia Guasace represents the new generation of Bolivian athletes who are raising the country’s profile in international athletics. Her South American record, national championship success, and consistent improvement trajectory make her both a current star and a promising prospect for Bolivia’s athletic future. As she continues to develop her considerable talents across multiple disciplines, she stands as an inspiration for young athletes throughout Bolivia and the broader South American region.

Tania’s athletic achievements and commitment to representing Bolivia at the highest levels of competition demonstrate her dedication to excellence both as an individual athlete and as a representative of her country’s sporting ambitions.

Vamos Tania! (IG: tania_guasace_)