Author name: Pablo Martínez

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.”