National

The Mexican judo team earned five medals at the Pan American Sub-13 and Sub-15 Championship in Cuba: one gold with Thayli Molina and four bronzes with Perales, Marmolejo, Álvarez, and the mixed team.     The Mexican national judo team closed its participation in the Pan American Sub-13 and Sub-15 Championship, held in Varadero, Cuba, achieving a total of five medals: one gold and four bronzes.     The athlete from Quintana Roo, Thayli Molina, was the standout Mexican, becoming the champion in the -47-kilogram category, which was the country’s only gold medal in the youngest division.     In the following categories, Luis Perales (-40 kilograms), Renata Marmolejo (-44 kilograms), Ana Álvarez (-53 kilograms), and the mixed team (formed by César Moreno, Emanuel Rodríguez, David Domínguez, Carmen Bustos, and Ana Álvarez) all secured third place on the podium.     This outstanding performance came just days after the junior judo team earned seven medals at the 2024 Pan American Cup in Montreal, solidifying Mexican judo as a powerhouse in age-limited continental competitions. Fotos: CONADE

At the 2024 Poomsae Taekwondo World Championship in Hong Kong, Mexico has accumulated eight medals, with notable bronzes from William Arroyo, Seo Hyun Lee, Heriberto Sánchez, and the female cadet team. The competition concludes today. On the third day of the 2024 Poomsae Taekwondo World Championship in Hong Kong, the Mexican team earned four bronze medals, bringing their total to eight at the event, which concludes today, Wednesday, December 4th.      William de Jesús Arroyo Reyes from Oaxaca added another medal to his collection by securing third place in the men’s freestyle individual category for those over 17 years old, maintaining his record of earning at least one medal in every World Championship he has participated in.  “Enjoying every step of the journey, thanks to everyone who supported me. I am so happy to be here at my fourth World Championship and to win a medal again,” shared the three-time world champion after his award.      “It’s something magical, but this doesn’t end here. Let’s put the medal aside because there’s one more test left: the freestyle pair with Cecilia Lee. More than anything, we want to enjoy it together,” emphasized the Pan American champion of Santiago 2023.  In the women’s freestyle individual over 17 years old, Seo Hyun Cecilia Lee Kim from Nuevo León took the bronze.  “I’m happy to step onto such a big and beautiful stage. I’m taking away many lessons and emotions from this World Championship,” said the Goyang 2022 freestyle pair champion.      “Many thanks to my family, who are always there to support me, to FMTKD (Mexican Taekwondo Federation), CONADE (National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports), SEDENA, and INDE Nuevo León, for all their support in this process. I’m always grateful to my father and coach Kang Young Lee, and to Sergio Gloria for their time, dedication, and belief in me. Let’s keep working because dreams are meant to come true, and life often begins again, with one more day of competition. We’re going to give our all for Mexico,” emphasized the Pan American gold medalist of Santiago 2023.      On the other hand, Heriberto Sánchez Godina from Nuevo León won third place in the men’s individual category under 50 years in recognized poomsae.  Additionally, the team composed of Minerva Gómez Eudave and Maya Yelena Preciado Gastélum from Jalisco, along with Fernanda Jiménez Osuna from Baja California, won the bronze in the female cadet category.  The competition continues today, Wednesday, December 4th.

Paris 2024 multi-medalist Leon Marchard announced that he will take a break from aquatic competitions. The quadruple gold medalist will not participate in the World Short Course Swimming Championships, which will be held from December 10 to 15 in Budapest, Hungary. Through his Instagram account, French swimmer wrote the following: “2024 was really intense, I participated in numerous major competitions and I’m exhausted. It’s time to take some distance, train hard and start preparing for my future challenges.” The following year, Léon is expected to be one of the contenders to win in his disciplines at the Singapore 2025 World Long Course Swimming Championships. You may be interested in: https://titansports.mx/francia-tiene-al-nuevo-rey-de-la-natacion-leon-marchand-gano-su-cuarto-oro/   Cover photo: X (@leon_marchand)

BUPA renewed its role as the official medical sponsor of the Mexican Paralympic Committee, providing checkups and insurance for athletes and coaches on the road to Los Angeles 2028.  On November 26, British United Provident Association (BUPA) announced its renewal as the official medical sponsor of the Mexican Paralympic Committee (COPAME) in preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.  The announcement took place at BUPA’s corporate offices with the presence of COPAME President Liliana Suárez Carreón; BUPA Mexico CEO Fernando Lledó; Paralympic gold medalist Juan Pablo Cervantes from Paris 2024; and standout boccia para-athlete Rosa Isabel Flores.      During the event, Fernando Lledó expressed gratitude and emphasized that this partnership ensures medical protection for athletes and coaches, fostering their development and promoting sports in Mexico. “For BUPA, it is a global commitment to contribute to COPAME and achieve great success for Mexican Paralympic sports,” he stated.  COPAME President Liliana Suárez highlighted the importance of adapted sports and celebrated this collaboration as part of the new Paralympic cycle. “Behind every medal, we must think about something very important: an inclusive world. Mexico and the world need us to talk about inclusion, and I congratulate BUPA for thinking about this,” she said.     In addition to financial support, BUPA will provide medical checkups for athletes and health insurance for coaches to ensure maximum safety and support in their preparation.  You might also like: Para Taekwondo resumed training after winning two medals at Paris 2024   Gold medalist Juan Pablo Cervantes expressed gratitude for this initiative, stating that such partnerships inspire athletes to move forward. “The medical area is very important, and this initiative motivates athletes to feel supported by great people on the road to Los Angeles 2028,” he said.  Finally, Rosa Isabel emphasized the commitment of Paralympic athletes ahead of Los Angeles 2028. “Thank you very much, BUPA, for this great support, and we are heading to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games,” she concluded. 

The Mexican junior diving team stood out at the 2024 World Championship in Brazil, leading the medal table with 4 golds and 2 silvers. The Mexican junior diving team made history at the 2024 Junior Diving World Championship held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, leading the medal table with four golds and two silvers, becoming the most outstanding nation in the event.  Rut Elisa Páez Manjarrez was the star of the competition, winning three gold medals in the 1-meter and 3-meter women’s springboard (14-15 years) and in the 10-meter synchronized platform (14-18 years), alongside Abigail González Roe. On the final day of competition, December 1, Páez secured the silver in the 10-meter platform, totaling 343.00 points, behind Australia’s Maggie Grey (375.70) and ahead of Ukraine’s Diana Shevchenko (330.60).  You might also like: Mexico concluded its successful participation in the 2024 World Series of Para Swimming in Guadalajara Other notable achievements included golds from Jesús Miguel Agúndez Mora and David Gabriel Vázquez Cio in men’s 3-meter synchronized (14-18 years), silver from Mateo Zacai Nolasco Zenteno in men’s 10-meter platform (14-15 years), and silver from Alejandro Flores Jiménez and Emilio Treviño Laureano in men’s 10-meter synchronized platform (14-18 years).  China ranked second in the medal table with three golds, one silver, and one bronze, followed by Ukraine with two golds, three silvers, and four bronzes.  The championship featured over 200 athletes aged 14-18, representing more than 40 countries. 

Reis Castro and Juan Rodríguez will lead the women’s team, while Rubén Barrera and Juan Virgen will coach the men’s team in the Olympic cycle leading up to Los Angeles 2028.  The Mexican Volleyball Federation (FMVB) has unveiled its plan for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, introducing the athletes and coaching staff for both the men’s and women’s teams who will tackle this new Olympic cycle.      The women’s team will be led by Brazilian Reis Castro and Mexican Juan Rodríguez, an Olympic athlete and multi-time national champion. Notable players on the roster include Atenas Gutiérrez and Susana Torres, the current NORCECA silver medalists, as well as Yeray Vidaurrazaga and Jimena Ramírez.  On the men’s side, Rubén Barrera and Juan Virgen, both Olympic athletes and recently retired from high-performance volleyball, will coach Jorman Osuna, Miguel Sarabia, Inés Vargas, and Gabriel Cruz.  Also of interest: Mexican Diversity Volleyball Team wins bronze at WENÜIKAN Cup in Chile       FMVB President Jesús Perales Navarro officially presented the national team members, who will aim to qualify for the Olympic Games after missing out on Paris 2024.  Preparation will take place at the High Performance Center in Nuevo León, with plans to participate in international and continental competitions starting in 2025. Fotos: CONADE

Cecilia Lee, double world champion in taekwondo poomsae, is set to compete at the Hong Kong 2024 World Championship, aiming for medals in individual and pair freestyle. The world champion from Taipei 2018 and Goyang 2022, Seo Hyun Cecilia Lee Kim, has arrived in China to participate in the Taekwondo Poomsae World Championship, which will take place from November 30 to December 4. Her goal: to secure a spot on the podium once again.      “I’m very excited because this is my fourth World Championship, and I’ve medaled in all the previous ones. I hope to bring home another. In the last World Championship in Goyang, I won gold with my partner William Arroyo, bringing my tally to two golds and three bronzes,” the athlete from Nuevo León shared in an interview with the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE).  In Taipei 2018, Cecilia won the gold medal in freestyle individual under-17, as well as two bronzes: one in recognized poomsae individual cadet category and another in mixed freestyle pair alongside William Arroyo. In Goyang 2022, she took gold in freestyle pair over-17, also with William de Jesús Arroyo Reyes.      Also of interest: Vaslav Ayala aims for the podium at the Hong Kong 2024 Taekwondo Poomsae World Championship  “In this World Championship, I will compete in two events: freestyle individual and freestyle pair. My expectation is mainly to enjoy the championship, showcase what Mexico has to offer, and hopefully achieve a great result,” said the gold and bronze medalist from the recent Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.  Before traveling to Asia, the Nuevo León athlete completed her training at the National Center for Talent Development and High Performance (CNAR) of CONADE, training alongside the national team, composed of 52 athletes.  “The CNAR facilities are of excellent quality, which helps us prepare better for this World Championship,” said the taekwondo practitioner.      Cecilia began her journey in taekwondo inspired by her father, Kang Young Lee, a national taekwondo poomsae coach.  “Taekwondo represents my entire life since I’ve practiced this sport from a young age, and my coach is also my father. My mantra is that even if we’re scared, all it takes is enduring one second to achieve whatever you want,” she concluded.

Vaslav Ayala Talavera, a Mexican taekwondo athlete and world medalist, is competing in his seventh World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship in China. He aims to bring his experience to the team in his final participation in this category.   Ayala, who has won gold and silver medals at the World Championships, has already arrived in China to compete in the 2024 Hong Kong Poomsae World Championship, taking place from November 30 to December 4. This will be his seventh appearance at a World Championship event in this discipline.      “I’m competing in the under-30 team event. This is my seventh World Championship, and I’m excited because I see a team working with great interest. There are many young athletes with inspiration and motivation to reach the top in this World Championship,” shared the capital-based taekwondo athlete with the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE).  Ayala, who won the mixed pair title alongside Veracruz’s Ollin Medina and secured the individual runner-up position at the Aguascalientes 2014 World Championship, stated that his experience will be a valuable contribution to the national team.  Also of interest: William Arroyo to compete at the Hong Kong 2024 Poomsae World Championship   “I want to take advantage of these moments to support the younger categories—cadets, juniors, and even my own category. If I have advice or any experience I can share, I want to contribute. There’s a 10-year age difference between the youngest competitor in my category and me, so I want to make the most of my experiences, especially since this is my last year in this category. I want to help others with whatever they need in their journey,” emphasized the taekwondo athlete from Mexico City.      Throughout his distinguished career, Vaslav Ayala has earned gold, silver, and bronze medals at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, along with a silver medal at the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju, among other significant achievements.  “Taekwondo has shaped my personality for much of my life. It has changed me in many ways. I was once an insecure person when making decisions, but now I’m very confident,” he reflected.  Finally, he advised young athletes: “Work hard for what you want, but more than hard, work with intensity and intelligence. I believe one quality that defines me is courage—necessary to overcome fears, defeat challenges, and achieve the goals we set for ourselves.”

The Mexican government held the 2024 National Sports Award ceremony at the majestic National Palace. The event, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, honored the most outstanding figures in seven sports categories, marking a milestone for the country’s athletes and coaches. RECOGNITION AND AWARDS This year, the highest sports distinction in the country included a diploma signed by the President, a 0.900 gold medal, and a monetary prize of 796,050 pesos. A total of 14 awards were given across various disciplines, including professional sports, Paralympic sports, and lifetime achievements. Non-professional sports Among the honorees were the Paris 2024 Olympic medalists: Osmar Olvera Ibarra: Silver in synchronized diving and bronze in individual. Juan Manuel Celaya Hernández: Silver in synchronized diving. Prisca Awiti Alcaraz: Silver in judo (-63 kg). Marco Verde Álvarez: Silver in boxing (71 kg). Professional sports Charlyn Corral, forward for Club de Fútbol Pachuca, was recognized for her extraordinary season with 18 goals, solidifying her status as one of the best Mexican soccer players. Paralympic sports Paralympic champions were also awarded: Gloria Zarza Guadarrama: Gold in shot put F54. Juan Pablo Cervantes García: Gold in 100 meters T54. HONORING COACHES AND OFFICIALS In the coaching category, the following stood out: Iván Rodríguez Lunaand Martín Velasco Soria, for their work in para athletics. Radamés Hernández Cázares, for his guidance in achieving Olympic medals. Additionally, Katia García Mendoza was recognized as the second woman to referee a Liga MX match, breaking barriers in sports officiating. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AND SPORTS PROMOTION The lifetime achievement category honored: Alejandra Orozco Loza, Olympic medalist in diving. Daniel Aceves Villagrán, a medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling and a promoter of Mexican sports. The Harp Helú Foundation, led by Alfredo Harp Helú, was awarded for its efforts in fostering and protecting sports in Mexico. COMMITMENT TO SPORTS The director of CONADE, Rommel Pacheco Marrufo, highlighted the effort and sacrifice of the athletes, calling the National Sports Award “the most important recognition for any athlete in Mexico.” He emphasized his commitment to providing future generations with better conditions for sports development. “The President’s most important directive has been to ensure that every child and young person has the tools necessary to develop their talent and reach their full potential,” Pacheco stated. WORDS FROM THE HONOREES Diver Osmar Olvera Ibarra, speaking on behalf of the athletes, expressed his excitement for this recognition, calling it another dream come true after his success in Paris 2024. “This award reflects not just our effort but also the support we’ve received. Thanks to the authorities, today we know we’ll never be alone,” Olvera said. Meanwhile, Paralympic medalist Gloria Zarza Guadarrama highlighted the impact of sports on inclusion and social transformation, urging stronger support for people with disabilities. “Talking about inclusion must mean talking about equality, respect, and opportunities. Sports change lives, and we will continue paving the way for more Paralympic athletes,” Zarza affirmed. A HISTORIC EVENT The event was attended by prominent figures, including Mexico City’s Head of Government Clara Brugada and high-ranking officials from the Secretariat of National Defense and the Navy. The 2024 National Sports Award not only celebrated the talent and dedication of athletes but also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting and developing sports as a driver of social transformation.