Winning Olympic gold in diving, Iñaki Hernández's dream

▲ Young Iñaki has won three international medals. Photo by María Luisa Severiano. Photo by María Luisa Severiano.

Adriana Díaz Reyes

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, p. a12

When Iñaki Hernández was three years old, he dreamed of diving from the top rope at the Arena México. His father, Andrés, and his uncles, wrestling fans, guided him through his first training sessions to develop skills like flexibility and strength. Nine years later, and 500 kilometers from home, the athlete is pursuing a new goal: becoming an Olympic diving champion.

At first, it was very difficult to be away from my family; moving to Guadalajara was a complicated decision, but I had the full support of my parents. My goal is to win gold at the Olympics. I believe I can achieve it because I have the foundation I acquired through wrestling and gymnastics , the 12-year-old told La Jornada .

Iñaki's image in front of the Panam Sports microphones moved social media a few days ago when the young diver dedicated his gold medal to his mother, Perla.

The truth is, my mom couldn't make it, so I dedicated this to her. "I love you, Mom! " she declared through tears after winning first place in the three-meter springboard event at the Pan American Games in Medellín.

The scene quickly went viral and sparked a wave of affection, admiration, and support from both users and sports figures.

I feel very happy about everything the video brought about. My mom was delighted, and that was the goal. I hope one day I can become like the great divers Mexico has; one I especially admire is Germán Sánchez , he shared.

With his eyes lit up, the athlete showed off the three international medals he has won so far, while sharing his admiration for the wrestler La Parka .

“I didn't achieve my goal of becoming a wrestler, but I still really enjoy watching fights. It's a really cool and entertaining sport. La Parka , in particular, strikes me as a charismatic athlete who interacts a lot with people,” added Iñaki, who practiced gymnastics for seven years.

The diver has shared the pool with Olympic medalists such as Gabriela Agúndez and Osmar Olvera, who have advised him on how to perfect his performances.

"What they tell me most is to improve my posture, to be a confident competitor, and that if I put all my effort into it, one day I'll be like them ," added the athlete, who divides his days between his training and his first-year high school studies.

In the mornings I study and then I go to training. There are times when I've wanted to give up, but my friends and family help me not to give up.

Iñaki's next goal is the National Olympics, where he hopes to win several medals. Despite having international medals under his belt, he doesn't consider himself a favorite.

In Mexico, you can't be complacent in any competition; the level is very high in every category, so I have to train and continue perfecting my technique. We have little time to rest; champions must give 100 percent and more.

Iñaki will return to Guadalajara in a few hours, where, under the guidance of his coach, Salvador Chávez, a disciple of Iván Bautista, he will continue to build a career that looks set to be successful.

Although I'm very young, I'm clear about what I want to achieve. It's very difficult to be away from my family, but I think it will all be worth it in the end , the athlete emphasized.

▲ The Mexican mountaineer is the first Latin American to reach these peaks. Photo @virialvarezmx

Adriana Díaz Reyes

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, p. a12

For more than nine years, Viridiana Álvarez has challenged human limits. Temperatures of minus 40 degrees, impassable roads, lack of food, and death as a possibility on every climb.

None of this could stop the Mexican mountaineer, who yesterday received the Guinness World Record as the first Latin American to conquer the 14 highest mountains in the world.

The most difficult part of this adventure has been watching people die in front of me. I've lost many friends and loved ones, and those experiences are very difficult to navigate. However, you have to give life meaning, honor the people who fell by the wayside, and reach where they would have wanted to go , Viridiana shared.

Álvarez climbed his first mountain at the age of 30; from then on, he set his sights on reaching the eight-thousanders and carrying the Mexican flag to the summit.

“There isn't a single expedition where I haven't said, 'What am I doing here? I'm so tired.' It was a very demanding journey because your mind constantly challenges you. Mental training was essential to keeping my goal in sight; there were places where you could only fit one foot, and then you had to think, 'I'm not going to fall, I can't fall,'” she recalled.

Among the mountains climbed by Viridiana, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu, Annapurna and Gasherbrum II stand out, among others.

In October of last year, Viridiana reached the last of the 14 mountains, her face burned by the cold and most of her body frozen. She took out the Mexican flag, placed it on the summit, and thanked her luck for reaching the top safely.