Mexican Twins Mía and Lía Cueva Win Gold and Silver Over China at World Junior Diving Championships

A Historic 1-2 Finish in Croatia

Mexican athletes Mia Cueva and Lia Cueva claimed the top two spots on the podium during the Group A 1-meter springboard competition at the World Junior Diving Championships in Rijeka, Croatia. According to official government and sports reports, Mia Cueva captured the gold medal and the junior world title with a score of 335.45 points. Her twin sister, Lia Cueva, closely followed to take the silver medal with a score of 335.40 points.

The stellar performances by the 15-year-old athletes from Guadalajara allowed Mexico to outpace a strong contingent from China. Chinese competitor Xiangling Cheng finished third to claim the bronze medal, rounding out the podium in the 14-15 age category.

Building on International Momentum

The Cueva twins have steadily established themselves as emerging forces in international springboard diving. Earlier in their careers, the tapatías captured a gold medal in the 3-meter synchronized springboard at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay. In March of the same year, the pair also earned a bronze medal at a World Aquatics Diving World Cup event in Canada, sharing the podium with senior diving powerhouses Chen Yiwen and Chen Jia of China, as well as Australia’s Alysha Koloi and Maddison Keeney.

While the twins did not compete at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, their ongoing success at the junior world level positions them as vital prospects for Mexico’s delegation as the Olympic cycle advances toward the Los Ángeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Medal Standing and Next Steps

The success of Mia and Lia Cueva contributed significantly to Mexico’s standing at the international tournament in Rijeka, helping propel the delegation to the upper tiers of the event’s medal table.

What are your thoughts on the rising generation of Mexican diving talent? Join the conversation and share your comments below.