Perez picks up third National Sports Award

Paralympic champion Amalia Perez was presented with her third National Sports Award by Enrique Pena Nieto, President of Mexico, in Mexico City on 26 January.

The award from the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) is given annually to athletes to recognise their sporting achievements.

In 2015 Perez set a new world record on her way to gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

"It is my third National Sports Award and represents a career, work, effort, dedication every day, Perez said. “Above all I thank God and life for these opportunities."

Perez, who is also the reigning world champion in the women’s up to 61kg, thanked her coach and husband Enrique Alvarado as well as the team that supports her.

"It is an honour for our country to recognise us with these merits,” she said. "For me it is an honour to work all day every day to inspire every Mexican and to know that I have a country, a nation that supports me and we can be proud to live here."

Perez is currently preparing for September’s Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and will compete at the IPC Powerlifting World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 24-28 February.

The Mexican gave her fans even more reason to follow her during Rio 2016.

"Next month we are going to Malaysia for the last event towards Rio 2016 and then to the Paralympic Games, where the goal is to be one of the best and have a great performance,” Perez said. “With this plan I know that I can achieve a good ranking and why not, maybe to establish a new record.”