The Gutiérrez brothers fulfilled their dream at the Paris Paralympics

When they were children, brothers Raúl, Juan José and Jesús Gutiérrez enjoyed playing soccer. Despite being born short, they showed off their best performances in the streets of Irapuato, while dreaming of representing Mexico at an international level.

We liked to hit the ball, we dedicated a good part of the afternoons to the game because our parents instilled in us a love for the sport. One day, my older brother Raúl started swimming and that’s where our success story with this discipline began.commented Jesús, who yesterday was awarded as a bronze medalist at the Paris Paralympic Games (400 m freestyle S6).

The first to shine in the pool were Raúl and Juan José, the oldest. It took Jesús a little time to get away from the courts.

A coach got us a scholarship and we started swimming. First it was something recreational and, to everyone’s surprise, we started winning medals at the local and state levelsaid the 17-year-old athlete.

For the Gutiérrez family, suffering from dwarfism has never been a limitation. They got used to the awkward glances and whispers, which were never an impediment to setting ambitious goals.

My role models have always been my brothers because since I was a child I saw them trying hard and trying to be the best. I always wanted to be like themhe shared.

A few weeks ago, the Gutiérrez made history by competing in the same event at the Paris Paralympic Games (200 meter freestyle). No one got on the podium, but the experience was unmatched.

I watched them compete in Tokyo on TV and dreamed of swimming together on such a big stage. The goal was achieved in France and we need to repeat history in Los Angeles 2028.

In the brothers’ record is the 1-2-3 achieved in the Paraswimming World Series in Tijuana; In addition, all three won medals in different events at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games.

Raúl, Juan José and Jesús are trained at the Mexican Paralympic Center by the experienced Cuban instructor José Peláez. Their goal for the next cycle is to improve their times to reach a final together.

When we are in the pool it is a different world. Whenever we go through a sports problem or difficulty, it is our best therapy. When swimming we relax and life changes for the betterJesus added.

Children of a rancher father and a housewife mother, the Gutiérrez have achieved important results at the international level.

Juan José, the middle brother, obtained a fifth place in Tokyo 2020 and before that won three silver medals at the World Cup in Madeira, Portugal, and a bronze at the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru 2019.

Raúl, 24 years old, was Mexico’s top winner in the Parapan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil 2017 with three golds, three silvers and one bronze. He has also participated in the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

There is still a lot of story to tell. We feel strong and excited about the future that awaits us.

Recognition

Yesterday afternoon, a well-known pharmacist awarded the medal winners at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Led by the triple swimming medalist Ángel Camacho, those selected received one million pesos for the gold, 500 thousand for the silver and 200 thousand for the bronze.

I spent a lot of time complaining to God for taking away the strength in my legs. I wanted to be a Chivas soccer player and many times I dreamed of walking from one goal to another and feeling the ball. Today I can present myself as a Paralympic medalist, which means that life sometimes takes you down paths you never imagined.said José Luis Castillo, from powerlifting.

All the winners were present at the award ceremony, who thanked the private initiative for its support.

Rest assured that the money will be used for our preparation. We are not going to look bad to those who support us and Mexico in the next Gamescommented the experienced weightlifter Amalia Pérez.