Zeltzin Hernández, a standout Mexican wrestler, reflected on her year of achievements, including a silver medal at the U-23 World Championships. Her goal is to qualify and reach the podium at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
As the year comes to a close, Zeltzin Hernández Guerra, one of Mexico’s top athletes, took time to reflect on her successes and already has her sights set on the Olympic cycle leading to Los Angeles 2028.
«This year has been incredible, full of surprises and emotions. I started by making the national team, then in the Paris 2024 qualifiers, where I didn’t make the cut. It felt like a setback, and I felt bad, but there was no time for that,» she said in an interview with the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE).
Although she didn’t secure a spot for Paris, the Hidalgo native quickly moved forward and wrote her own story by winning a silver medal at the U-23 World Championships, marking Mexico’s first-ever medal in this competition, despite dealing with some physical challenges.
«I arrived at the World Championship with an injury just 10 days before, so it was a very tough psychological challenge because I was worried I wouldn’t be able to give my 100%. But I fought hard and didn’t give anything away. I think I looked very superior even with the injury. I was happy despite not getting the result I expected in the final,» she explained.
Also of interest: Zeltzin Hernández becomes U-23 World Wrestling Champion runner-up
The Pan American champion emphasized that one of her main goals is to compete in the Olympics and, above all, to win a medal, which would be a monumental achievement, as Jane Valencia is the only Mexican wrestler to have qualified for the Olympics (Tokyo 2020).
«I will continue preparing, with camps, tournaments, new learning, and clinics. Right now, I’m Mexico’s first-ever U-23 World medalist, so I believe we are very close to Olympic qualification, and not just that, but also to stepping on the podium at the Games,» she said.
«There will be many preparation competitions for me. We have to form the national team, then the Pan American and World Championships, the Central American and Pan American Games, Olympic qualifiers, and, God willing, Los Angeles 2028,» she added.
The 23-year-old athlete, who is currently ranked 17th in the world, also took the opportunity to encourage the national population to get involved in sports, whether at a high-performance level or as a social activity.
«I would tell them to take the risk of practicing sports because it’s the best thing you can do and the best decision you can make, regardless of the discipline. It’s a lifestyle, and it helps you build character, feel better about yourself physically and mentally, and become more disciplined,» she concluded.
