Thursday, November 2st.- Nuria Diosdado and Joana Jiménez had an extraordinary day at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. The Mexican duo clinched the gold medal in the synchronized swimming duet event, earning themselves spots at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Their stellar performance unfolded at the Centro Acuático at the Estadio Nacional.

Their routine, inspired by the figure of the Phoenix, earned the Mexican pair a total of 235.7875 points, securing a comfortable victory over the American team of Megumi Field and Ruby Remati, who earned 212.8292 points. Brazilians Laura Miccuci and Gabriela Regly Silva claimed the third spot with 191.9604 points. Chilean swimmers Trinidad and Soledad García delivered a commendable performance, finishing in sixth place with 156.3396 points.

The joy was undoubtedly the Mexicans' prerogative. Joana Jiménez acknowledged, "Having this gold medal feels like more than gold. We had previously performed this routine at the Egypt Open, and the Phoenix always rises. We've been through hardships, criticism, and attacks. We faced many obstacles. But that made us stronger; we learned, we grew, and we emerged from all the fires and bombardments."

The artistic swimmer recalled that their performance costumes had been used during the Lima 2019 Pan American Games when the duo secured the second position but earned their ticket to the Olympics. Jiménez added, "We said we had to repeat it to make history."

Written by María Fernanda Pavez y Nicolás Olea; translated by Felipe Vergara | Photosport
Photo by Pepe Alvujar / Santiago 2023 / Photosport