Jesus Hernandez Hernandez

Started: He took up the sport at age 13 in Ahome, Mexico. (Athlete, 23 Aug 2021) Reason: He got involved in swimming at a young age as part of his therapy. "I like it because it is a sport in which you don't use implements and because I was inspired by swimmers like Michael Phelps, Laure Manaudou, Jessica Long, and Juan Ignacio Reyes." (Athlete, 23 Aug 2021; periodicodeizcalli.com.mx, 31 Aug 2018) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (gob.mx, 13 Nov 2023) Awards: In 2022 he received the National Sports Award in the Para sports category in Mexico. (Comite Paralimpico Mexicano Facebook page, 28 Nov 2022) In 2022 he received the Sports Award of the city of Leon, Mexico. (Instagram profile, 12 Jan 2023) Additional Info: DEFEATING HIS IDOL He won a bronze medal in the S4 50m backstroke at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, finishing ahead of his idol, fellow Mexican swimmer Juan Ignacio Reyes, who placed fourth. "I beat a person that I have admired and always will do. Beating my idol was a great thing for me. I beat Juan Ignacio, who I watched on TV and many times I told myself that one day I would be like him. I never imagined that one day I would compete against him." (periodicodeizcalli.com.mx, 31 Aug 2018; milenio.com, 30 Dec 2017)