Humberto Nájera wins second gold medal at the Pan American Games
The swimmer won the 200m backstroke event
Humberto Nájera wins second gold medal at the Pan American Games
Mexico has 14 medals and is in sixth place in the medal table.
▲ Humberto Nájera (center, in white) said he trained hard for this achievement. Photo by Conade
From the Editorial Staff
La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, p. a10
In Asunción, the sound of water mingled with the sound of applause as Humberto Nájera touched the wall in the pool and took home the gold medal in the 200-meter backstroke event at the Junior Pan American Games.
The Mexican swimmer gave our country its second gold medal in the junior competition, achieving a time of 1:57.44 minutes, setting a national and competition record. He also secured his spot at the Lima 2027 Pan American Games.
"I'm very proud of this achievement and excited to go to the adult Pan American Games in two years. I trained hard and focused in the pool to achieve gold. I'm happy," said Nájera, a student at the University of California.
The silver medal went to Brazilian Samuel Lopes and the bronze to Chilean Edhy Vargas
On a day that also saw four bronze medals and one silver medal, Humberto became the star of Paraguayan swimming, where Brazil won five of the seven events.
Another star of the national delegation was Celia Pulido, who won two medals yesterday, bringing her total to three. Pulido won silver in the 200-meter backstroke with a new personal best (2:11.67 minutes) and bronze in the mixed freestyle relay with Diego Camacho, Andrés Dupont, and María Méndez (3:32.49). Méndez also took bronze in the 100-meter butterfly (1:00.73).
Dupont, who trains in the United States, competed in the 100-meter butterfly, finishing fourth in 1:00.73. Fernanda Elizondo finished sixth in the 200-meter freestyle final, while David Medina finished fifth in the same event.
Judokas achieve bronze medals
Tricolor judokas Rafael Ramírez and María Cruz won bronze on the third day of the Games.
Ramírez climbed onto the podium in the -73 kilogram category by defeating American Anthony Farnot. The gold went to Matheus Nolasco of Brazil, and the silver went to Alfredo Valdivieso of Colombia.
“I really came for the gold, but getting on the podium is a good result. You don't realize you've won a medal until you step off the mat and everyone is congratulating you,” shared Rafael, who trained for the competition in Spain.
María emerged victorious in the duel for third place in the 63 kilogram category against Wendy Martínez of Cuba. In a nine-minute bout, the Cuban showed grit and prevailed over her tough opponent.
"It was a tough, long fight, so this medal means a lot because I was able to hold on. I came for the gold, but considering the high level of competition, I'm happy," said the national team member, who burst into tears as soon as she received her medal.
In the BMX freestyle final, Valeria Segura finished in fifth place with a score of 51.67.
Archers Adriana Castillo and Máximo Méndez secured two more medals for Mexico after reaching the individual finals.
Our country has so far won two gold medals, six silver, and six bronze, placing it sixth in the medal table dominated by Brazil (22-9-10) and Chile (7-4-5). In the previous edition, in Cali, Colombia, Mexico finished fourth overall.
They are brilliant young people: Sheinbaum
From the Editorial Staff
La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, p. a10
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo congratulated the Mexican athletes who won medals in international competitions over the weekend. Yesterday, during the morning press conference held at the National Palace, the president affirmed that they are brilliant young people who have participated in what have been very successful weeks for national sport.
A video was then broadcast featuring images of the winners of the Asunción 2025 Junior Pan American Games, the Chengdu World Championships, and cyclist Isaac del Toro, champion of the Vuelta a Burgos.
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