De Lima meriri marathon mbụ ya n'afọ 1996, na-ewere aha Tokyo International Marathon. Ọ gara asọmpi Olimpik nke mbụ ya n'otu afọ ahụ, na-agba ọsọ na marathon na 1996 Atlanta Games
ma mechie na 47th ebe. Ọ pụtara ụwa mbụ ya ka otu afọ gachara na 1997 World Championships na Athletics, ebe ọ kwụsịrị nke iri abụọ na atọ. O setịpụrụ oge kachasị mma nke 2:08:31 na 1998 Tokyo Marathon, na-emecha nke abụọ n'azụ Alberto Juzdado.