Mexican divers Aranza Vázquez Montaño and Alejandra Estudillo Torres advanced to the semifinals of the women’s individual springboard event on Wednesday by finishing among the top 18 divers at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after occupying positions 3 and 17, respectively, in the event held at the Aquatic Center of the French capital.
The Mexicans finished with scores of 321.75 and 276.45, with China’s Yiwen Chen and Australia’s Maddison Keeney leading the competition with 356.40 and 337.35 points.
“I felt very good during the competition, I was calm since I started warming up this morning. I know I had a good competition, we will continue with what is coming up, like the semi-finals, and from there we will see if we make it to the finals if everything goes well, but there are things that can be done better and in the end I represent Mexico with great pride, the fact that the stands are full of Mexicans feels incredible,” said Aranza Vázquez, who is attending her second Olympic Games.
For her part, Alejandra Estudillo acknowledged that nerves were part of her Olympic debut; however, she shared that they were a motivation to get through the competition and get her ticket to the next round.
“I was really nervous, honestly, because it was my first time competing in the Olympics, but I tried to be as calm as I could and give my best effort, and thank God I took another step. I’m going step by step, I tried to let those nerves give me the motivation and adrenaline to feel, because that helps me to be clearer about what I have to do. Just by being here, I’m happy and grateful. I give my best effort and I trained to be ready,” she said.
Both divers will return to the springboard on Thursday, August 8, to compete in the semifinals and be among the top 12 who will advance to the fight for the medals.