Jessica Garcia Quijano

Started: She began practising taekwondo at age eight. (grillodeyucatan.com, 08 Jan 2020) Reason: Her father enrolled her in taekwondo lessons after seeing an advert. She was initially reluctant and afraid but later started enjoying the sport. "At competitions I began to be congratulated and it was a huge satisfaction to know I could do it. I trained in taekwondo to get rid of my fears about the impairment and to learn to not set limits." (grillodeyucatan.com, 08 Jan 2020; fabriciomena.com, 19 Jan 2018) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (milenio.com, 15 Oct 2023) Milestones: She became the first female Para taekwondo athlete representing Mexico to win a gold medal at the world championships by claiming the K44 -52kg title at the 2023 edition of the tournament in Veracruz, Mexico. (SportsDeskOnline, 30 Nov 2023; proceso.com.mx, 22 Sep 2023) Awards: In 2024 she received the Uman Sports Merit Award in Mexico. (hazruido.mx, 26 Jun 2024) Additional Info: SINGING She has taken part in singing contests on television in Mexico. "I left taekwondo for around four years and focused on music and singing. I come from a family that likes singing. I entered some contests and reached the final. I finished in second and third place on a show named 'Yucatan Canta' [Yucatan Sings]. Then I was called up to the Para taekwondo national team and returned to training, although I didn't know the magnitude I would face." (milenio.com, 15 Oct 2023) FURTHER EDUCATION She has studied for a master's degree in educational centre management at Anahuac University in Mexico. (generacionuniversitaria.com.mx, 26 Jun 2024)