Two more gold medals for Mexico at the Paralympics

Mexico CityArnulfo Castorena has been used to fighting practically since he was born. His mother died during childbirth and shortly after his father abandoned him due to his disability.

Against all odds, the man from Guadalajara clung to life, which he reached with a congenital malformation that prevented the development of one of his arms and legs.

“I have been through a lot of bad things. My brothers ignored me, so I had to live with my grandmother and then with an aunt in a very hostile environment. My family never treated me well, they took drugs in front of me all the time and I thought about doing the same, but I didn’t fall for it. I wanted to be different, to get out of that dark world,” shared the swimmer, who yesterday won the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Castorena and Juan Pablo Cervantes, in athletics, yesterday had the most successful day for the Mexican delegation in France by climbing to the top of the podium in the 50-meter breaststroke SB2 and the 100-meter T54, respectively. Their medals catapulted the country from 36th to 23rd place in the medal table.

“I came here with the goal of becoming a legend and I achieved it. Sometimes my arm didn’t respond and at times I lost all my strength, but I managed to concentrate and get on the podium despite the pain,” Castorena shared at a press conference.

More than two decades after winning his first Paralympic medal in Sydney 2000, the swimmer claimed his fourth title in the 50-metre breaststroke. His medal crowns a story of overcoming and resilience that he still boasts at 46 years of age.

“Nothing made me throw in the towel. I didn’t give up when I had to clean windshields, nor when I sold gum or asked for money on the streets. I am a brave person who knows how to overcome adversity and always comes out ahead,” said Castorena, who has seven Olympic medals to his name.

Arnulfo, who learned to read thanks to nuns, does not want to receive only applause after winning the title in Paris. The man from Jalisco hopes that his achievement will serve to make the authorities more equitable in terms of the distribution of resources.

“When I won my medal in Tokyo I thought things would be different, but that wasn’t the case. I don’t have any permanent sponsors, only one company supported me on my way to Paris, so it has been difficult to stay among the best,” admitted the swimmer, who, despite everything, dreams of reaching the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Although he is one of the most successful Mexican medalists at the Paralympic Games, the four-time champion leads a modest life with his wife and assistant María Concepción.

“It was very difficult to support my five children when my scholarship was cut. I had a hard time getting ahead and I even thought about retiring. Without my family I wouldn’t have been able to continue,” added the athlete.

Arnulfo Castorena already has seven Paralympic medals to his name. Photo AP and Conade

From skateboard to rink

Juan Pablo Cervantes loved to play soccer. Despite being born with multiple congenital arthrogryposis, the capital native managed to adapt a skateboard to his body in order to play as a defender or goalkeeper for his team.

The lack of mobility in his legs was never an impediment to staying active. He also played basketball and swam, but it was in athletics where he found his true passion.

Yesterday, Juan Pablo broke the American record to take home the gold medal with a time of 13.74 seconds, in the 100-meter T54 category final.

“I’m in shocka lot of things are going through my head right now, a ton of emotions, but the hardest part is over. My body was no longer reacting, I feel like it had reached its peak.”

Cervantes surpassed his result from Tokyo 2020 when he achieved bronze. The 32-year-old athlete continued his winning streak in the current cycle, in which he has won the gold medal at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games, also with a record for the Americas, and the bronze medal at the World Championship in Kobe, Japan 2024.

Mexico won 11 medals in Paris, three of them gold.