Mexico Makes History, Defeats USA in Artistic Swimming, Qualifies for Paris

For the first time in history, the Aztecs clinched the Pan American gold in the team discipline of artistic swimming, adding to the top medal they secured in duets at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

Friday, November 3rd, 2023.- Mexico made a historic achievement at the Centro Acuático at Estadio Nacional, securing the gold medal in the team artistic swimming at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago after a closely contested match against the United States. This extraordinary performance has earned the Mexican team a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking a legendary moment for the North American country.

The Mexican team emerged victorious in a tight competition, with a score of 786.2546 compared to 785.5908 after an appeal from the United States. The routine performed by Regina Alférez, Marla Arellano, Nuria Diosdado, Daniela Estrada, Itzamary González, Luisa Jailib, Joana Jiménez, Jessica Sobrino, and Pamela Toscano secured the second gold medal, following Diosdado and Jiménez's Pan American duet title.

"It was a flawless routine, without any mistakes. The message we conveyed was to focus on what we could do. The support we received from the crowd was incredible, and we are truly grateful because it's the support we need," said Mexican coach Adriana Loftus.

The new challenge now lies in the Olympic Games. "We seized the opportunity. We hadn't qualified for the Olympics since 1996. We made history, but we don't fully grasp the magnitude of this, as it was a very complicated, very challenging qualification process," appreciated the strategist.

Written by María Fernanda Pavez - Nicolás Olea; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Heuler Andrey / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport

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