Mexico dominates World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira, Portugal, Digi Mart USA News (Albufeira, Portugal): Mexico’s national swimming team for people with Down syndrome is making a strong showing at the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira, Portugal. The team has won two gold medals, six silver and eight bronze, for a total of 16 medals, and has also set a historic world record.
The Mexican squad of ten swimmers, led by Orlando Ibarra Pérez, competed in individual and relay events at the 12th edition of the championship. Experienced athletes including Dunia Camacho, Mariana Escamilla, Giovanni Flores and Steven Martínez are part of the delegation.
On Thursday, November 5, Mexico added six medals to its total, including two silver and four bronze. In the women’s 100-meter butterfly, Melissa Alvarado Nevárez took silver in 1:38.06, while teammate María Guadalupe Cárdenas Pérez earned bronze in 1:38.93.
In the men’s event, Steven Martínez Arellano took silver in 1:17.46, finishing behind Portugal’s Vicente Barros Pereira.
Mexico also won three bronze medals in relays: the mixed 4×50-meter freestyle, the women’s medley and the men’s medley, bringing the day’s total to six podium finishes.
The team’s most significant moment came on Tuesday, November 3, when the women’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay team won gold and set a new world record. Mariana Escamilla, Dunia Camacho, Guadalupe Cárdenas and Paola Veloz completed the distance in 12 minutes, 29.15 seconds, beating the previous mark of 12:49.75 by more than 20 seconds.
Camacho also set a world record in her masters age category in the 800-meter freestyle, where she won silver.
With the six medals won on Thursday, Mexico’s total rose from ten to 16. The championship’s final day of competition is Friday, November 6, and Mexican swimmers still have chances to add to their medal count.
Mexico’s overall position in the full medal table has not been confirmed, but the results reflect the competitive level of the team.
Beyond the medals, Mexico’s participation stands out for its world records and the collective performance of a generation of swimmers continuing to make their mark in international sport. Photo credit: Mexican Paralympic Committee.
