Jose Antonio Mari Alcaraz

Started: He learned how to swim at age three in Valencia, Spain. He took up the sport at age 12 in L'Eliana, Spain. (Athlete, 15 Aug 2018; as.com, 30 Mar 2018; vivaleliana.com, 23 Aug 2012) Reason: Doctors encouraged him to start swimming as therapy for his impairment, and later suggested he try competing in Para swimming. "As a child I liked football and basketball, but in the water my impairment went more unnoticed. When I was two or three I started swimming, but then I stopped for a few years. I came back when I was nine or 10 and I haven't stopped since. I started going to lessons, I was doing quite well and they asked me if I would join the sports club. When I started competing I stood out, I was the best swimmer in the club and the only one with an impairment." (sportlife.es, 09 Mar 2021; Athlete, 15 Aug 2018; vivaleliana.com, 23 Aug 2012) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Outside of competing, he aspires to become a sports psychologist. (yosoynoticia.es, 10 Aug 2023; proyectofer.es, 11 Feb 2022; sportlife.es, 09 Mar 2021) Awards: He was named the 2017 Sportsman with a Physical Impairment of the Year at a ceremony in Terrassa, Spain. (rfeh.es, 19 Mar 2018; diarideterrassa.es, 17 Mar 2018) He was presented with the Medal of the City in Terrassa, Spain, in recognition of his performance at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. (estoesdxt.es, 03 Jul 2013) Additional Info: FURTHER EDUCATION He has studied remotely for a degree in psychology at the Catholic University of Murcia [UCAM] in Spain. "I apply my knowledge for the sport, both for myself and with my partner Sarai Gascon. The psychological part is very important, it does not matter how well prepared you are at a physical level, if you are not mentally prepared, the competition will not go as you expect." (sportlife.es, 09 Mar 2021; dxtadaptado.com, 02 Sep 2019; Athlete, 15 Aug 2018) EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCE In September 2017 he was in Mexico City, Mexico, when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck. He was training at the Mexican Paralympic Centre [CEPAMEX] along with his national teammate Sarai Gascon and their coach Miguel Vazquez Calvo ahead of the 2017 World Championships, which were rescheduled for a later date following the earthquake. "We were in the room when we felt the floor moving. We got out, the corridors moved from one side to the other, the floor and ceiling vibrated a lot. The building did not have major damage but the gymnasium had some cracks and the water drained out of the pool." (marca.com, 21 Sep 2017; superdeporte.es, 20 Sep 2017; ondacero.es, 20 Sep 2017)

Sporting Relatives: His partner Sarai Gascon has represented Spain in Para swimming. She competed at the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 editions of the Paralympic Games, winning six silver and two bronze medals. (as.com, 17 Mar 2024; SportsDeskOnline, 24 May 2022)