▲ Backed by his Parapan American titles in the 400 and 100 meters in Santigo 2023, he begins his path to Paris. Photo Conade
Erendira Palma Hernández
La Jornada Newspaper
Saturday, January 20, 2024, p. a10
Juan Pablo Cervantes has never known the feeling of walking, but he has tasted the sweetness of success. As Parapan American champion in the 100 meters in a wheelchair, he is one of the most outstanding athletes in Mexico and now, in an analysis, he warns that the country is at risk of stagnating in Paralympic sports, since there is a lack of updating and support, especially everything for the coaches.
There are several very good ones, however they lack support so they can be updated. Sometimes there is even more support for foreigners, who have also contributed a lot. But that help is necessary, our results or triumphs are also theirs; We will be the show, but the coaches are behind all this, he said in an interview with The Conference.
Cervantes revalidated the titles in the 400 and 100 meter events in the T54 modality in Santiago 2023. He also set a record in the 100 with a time of 13.80 seconds, surpassing his own mark that he had achieved four years ago in Lima 2019, with 14.17.
The scene was dramatic. Cervantes competed with the speed of a gazelle to demonstrate his ability, but due to the momentum with which he was going, it was difficult for him to stop and almost immediately after crossing the finish line he fell on the track while the rest of the athletes passed by him in the chairs. wheel. The tricolor managed to get up and, although he seemed to be celebrating, he was actually trying to understand what had happened.
Juan Pablo came to para-athletics by chance. When he was a teenager, a taxi driver recommended that he practice some sport and when he first saw a track wheelchair, I fell in love. Now, 15 years later, he boasts four Parapan American golds and a Paralympic bronze.
He asserts that being in a wheelchair is not a disability, since I can do everything, from dancing, driving to cooking; There are people in more complicated situations.
Juan Pablo’s disability is due to congenital multiple arthrogryposis that prevented the complete formation of his legs. I’ve never known what it’s like to walk and if I did it would be strange, he says.
Once they asked me if I could choose between being able to walk or sporting success, which one would I ask for? I said international glory as an athlete, he says with a laugh.
Now he begins his path to Paris 2024, so he hopes to participate in Dubai in a Grand Prix to later compete in a national selection. In addition to being an athlete, Cervantes is also a spokesperson and hopes to continue seeing his triumphs printed in the newspapers.
2024-01-20 10:20:06
#Jornada #Paralympic #sport #risk #stagnating #Juan #Pablo #Cervantes
