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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.

William de Jesús Arroyo Reyes traveled to China with the national team to compete in the Hong Kong 2024 World Taekwondo Championship, where he aims to stand out in both individual and pair freestyle events with Cecilia Lee.  The three-time world champion in taekwondo poomsae, William de Jesús Arroyo Reyes, traveled this Monday with the national team to China for the World Championship in Hong Kong 2024, which will be held from November 30 to December 4. Mexico will be represented by 52 athletes in this event.      “Since the start of the year, we’ve been working hard. After the Pan American Games, we kept training for this World Championship, so we’ve had almost a year of preparation, and now we just need to enjoy it,” shared the Oaxaca native in an interview with the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE).  William will compete in the individual freestyle category, where he is the current world runner-up, and in pair freestyle with Cecilia Lee, with whom he won the gold medal at the Goyang 2022 World Championship.  “Mexico is a powerhouse at the global level, with great taekwondo athletes, both in combat and poomsae. It’s amazing that Mexico is seen as a top team, and I believe the Mexican delegation will put on a great show there,” said the also gold medalist at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.  You might also like: Paula Fregoso to compete in her fourth Taekwondo Poomsae World Championship in Hong Kong 2024 The Oaxaca native, who has earned gold medals at the World Championships in Lima 2016, Taipéi 2018, and Goyang 2022, recalled how he began taekwondo at an early age, encouraged by his father, Víctor Hugo Arroyo.      “I started taekwondo when I was young, thanks to my father, who is my coach. I dedicated myself 100% to poomsae, and when freestyle was introduced at the National Olympics (now CONADE Nationals), I fell in love with it. Now, I’m preparing for this World Championship in the freestyle I love. Taekwondo is life; it has given me a reason to keep going, and I enjoy it so much both in and out of the ring because taekwondo always teaches you many things and values,” he said.  Finally, he shared his determination to give his best at Hong Kong 2024.  “More than anything, I just want to enjoy it, give my best, and support the entire Mexican team because I believe we’re going to give our all.”

Cruz Azul, under the leadership of Martín Anselmi, suffered a surprising 0-3 loss to Xolos at the Estadio Caliente, complicating their future in the tournament. The first goal came in the 11th minute from Raúl Zúñiga, capitalizing on an error by Willer Ditta. Efraín Álvarez doubled the lead in the 18th minute, and as if that wasn’t enough, Jorge Sánchez was sent off for a foul on Zúñiga.  Before halftime, Emanuel Reynoso added a third goal for Xolos, leaving the “celestes” in a tough spot. In the second half, Anselmi made some changes to alter the flow of the game, but the team failed to react. Now, Cruz Azul will have to overcome the 0-3 deficit in the return leg at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes if they want to continue fighting for the championship.  You might also like: With a goal from “Santi” Giménez, Feyenoord salvaged a draw against Manchester City

Mexican figure skater Donovan Carrillo celebrated his 25th birthday by winning silver at the NRW Trophy 2024. He spoke with Rommel Pacheco and shared his plans for upcoming events like the Bavarian Open.  Carrillo visited the facilities of the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) and talked with Rommel Pacheco, the institution’s general director, about his next competitions. This followed his silver medal win at the NRW Trophy 2024 in Dortmund, Germany, on November 17, coinciding with his 25th birthday.  “Winning a silver medal on my birthday was a very special achievement, and I enjoyed it a lot. It was beautiful because, even though I knew it was my birthday, I tried to give my best, enjoy the competition, and it felt like a great reward,” the skater shared with CONADE.      In the competition, Carrillo scored 62.56 points in the short program and 131.45 in the free program, achieving a total score of 194.01.  “I felt good in this competition in Germany, calm and very relaxed. I had the opportunity to compete in the NRW the previous year, and just like this year, I repeated the silver. It’s a rink I really like, and I enjoy the atmosphere of this competition, so I felt very familiar with everything I was experiencing at that moment,” he highlighted.  You might also like: Donovan Carrillo completed his participation in the national tournament ahead of the 2025 World Championships The athlete, known as the first Mexican to qualify for a figure skating Olympic final at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, shared details about his upcoming sports events.      “What remains of this season is the most important part, the final trimester, which closes strong. I have the Four Continents Championship and the World Championship as the final goals for this season. But before that, in January, I will be participating in the Bavarian Open in Germany, and I’m very excited and motivated to continue growing. I think there’s a lot of room for improvement in my routines, so I’m giving my best to make the most of those pieces of music I love,” he concluded.