Citi World Series: Rojas leads Mexican domination in Guadalajara 

Electrifying performances took centre stage at the Guadalajara's Centro Acuatico Metropolitano when the Citi Para Swimming World Series Mexico 2024 was held over four days last weekend (21–24 November). 

While the multi-class events witnessed exceptional talents from across the Americas and beyond, the host nation delivered a dominant performance, topping the medals table with 14 golds from their 44 medals: 14 gold, 17 silver, and 13 bronze.

Leading Mexico's charge was 20-year-old Citli Siloe Rojas (S14), who claimed three gold medals in the women’s 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke, and 100m breaststroke.

Rojas also shared the spotlight in the individual rankings with Argentina’s Joaquin Leiva (S9) and Peru’s Micaela Aspaetegui (S9), each winning three races.

Leiva triumphed in the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke while Aspaetegui claimed victory in the women’s 50m, 100m, and 400m freestyle. Their outstanding performances placed Argentina and Peru as the top three nations on the medal standings.

From Paris to Guadalajara  

Home hero Jesus Alberto Gutierrez, fresh from his bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, delighted local fans with six medals – two golds and four silvers.

Competing in the S6/SM6 class, Gutierrez secured victories in the men’s 400m freestyle and 200m medley, adding silver medals in the 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 100m breaststroke, and 100m backstroke.

Fellow Paralympic medallist Haidee Perez (S2) added to Mexico’s tally, earning silver in the women’s 50m backstroke.

Golden hosts

Beyond Rojas and Gutierrez, eight more Mexican Para swimmers contributed to a memorable weekend for the home team.  

Among the men, Alejandro Soto (S3) triumphed in the 150m medley, Ignacio Soto (SB2) won the 50m breaststroke, and Angel Leon (S14) captured gold in the 200m freestyle. Leon also added two silver medals in the 400m freestyle and 100m butterfly.  

Ana Lopez (SM4/SB3) mirrored Gutierrez’s twin golds, winning the women’s 150m medley and 50m breaststroke.  

Other standout performances among the women included Karina Torres (S5) in the 50m backstroke, Karla Gonzalez (S6) in the 50m butterfly, Naomi Mandujano (SM7) in the 200m medley, and Rebeca Carmona (S14) in the 100m butterfly. 

Mandujano also claimed silver in the 50m freestyle while Carmona finished second in the 200m medley and third in the 200m freestyle.  

For full results of the Citi Para Swimming World Series Mexico 2024, visit here.

The end approaches

With the Mexico leg concluding, the Citi Para Swimming World Series now heads to its final stop of the year in Cairo, Egypt, where a three-day competition will take place from 6 to 8 December.  

Meanwhile, preparations for 2025 are in full swing. Seven of the nine host cities have already been confirmed including Melbourne, Australia; Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Fuji-Shizuoka, Japan; Paris, France; Guadalajara, Mexico; and Lima, Peru.