Mexican Army and Air Force Olympic medalists

Stories of discipline, triumph and honor

Centroamerican and the Caribean Games San Salvador Medals (2023) by Secretariat of the National DefenseMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

In Olympic glory

Mexico's Army and Air Force sports teams are composed of both male and female high-performance military athletes, whose mission is to take part in national and international competitions in the Olympic cycle, representing Mexico with pride and passion.

These are just some of the Army and Air Force military athletes who, over the course of history, have placed on the podium at Central American level, Pan American level and in Olympic Games at the international level.

It would only be fair to recognize those who have given their all in representing our country, as well as the Army and Air Force, with discipline, honor and love for Mexico.

Gold Medal and the Rectory of the Military University of Mexico Building (2021) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

It would only be fair to recognize those who have given their all in representing our country, as well as the Army and Air Force, with discipline, honor and love for Mexico.

Military Athletes of the Cavalry Team (1936) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

1936 Equestrian Polo Team

Mexico's military cavalry has always stood out in the Olympic Games. Evidence of this is the great participation of Major Juan Zazueta, and Captains Antonio Nava, Alberto Sesma and Miguel Savagoitia who won bronze

Military Athlete Humberto Mariles of the cavalry team (1948) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

Humberto Mariles

In the 1948 Olympic Games in London, England, legendary Brigadier General Humberto Mariles Cortes won two gold medals and one bronze medal in the Individual Jumping and Team Jumping events. No other Mexican athlete has been able to replicate this achievement.

Military Athlete Jose Pedraza (1968) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

José Pedraza Zúñiga

One of our country's most iconic sporting feats happened in the 1968 Mexican Olympic Games when Staff Sergeant José Pedraza Zúñiga won his first silver medal in the 20 km walk, in one of the most spectacular finishes of this event.

Military Athletes of the Cavalry Team (1980) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

1980 Equestrian Team

Major Fabián Vázquez captained Mexico's equestrian team. In the 22nd Olympic Games held in Moscow, Russia in 1980, together with Major David Bárcena, Captains Manuel Mendivil and José Pérez won bronze in the three-day equestrian event.

Military Athlete Alejandro Cardenas (2000) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

Alejandro Cárdenas

First Sergeant Manuel Alejandro Cárdenas Robles had a great outing at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada in 1999, where he clinched bronze in the 400 m track event

Military Athlete Leticia Rocha (1994) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

Leticia Rocha

First Sergeant Nora Leticia Rocha de la Cruz, of the National Athletics Team, won a silver medal in the 1500 m track race in the 18th Central American and Caribbean Games in Maracaibo, Venezuela in 1998.

Military athlete Christian Bejarano (2000) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

Christian Bejarano

Corporal Cristian Bejarano Benítez won a silver medal in the Lightweight 135 lb category in boxing in the 27th Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia in 2000.

Military Athlete Joel Sanchez (2024) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

Joel Sánchez

One of our role models, First Sergeant Joel Sánchez Guerrero, of the National Athletics Team, won bronze in the 50 km event at the 27th Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia in 2000.

Military Athlete Guadalupe Romero (2000) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

Guadalupe Romero

Holding the rank of staff sergeant, Marisol Guadalupe Romero Rosales made history at home when she won gold at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara in 2011, in the 10,000 m racewalking event.

Military Athlete Maria del Rosario Espinosa (2016) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

María del Rosario Espinoza

One of taekwondo's greatest exponents, she has won three Olympic medals:

· Gold (Beijing 2008)
· Bronze (London 2012)
· Silver (Río 2016)

In 2021 she won the National Sports Award 2021 for Outstanding Career in Mexican Sports, and holds the rank of Lieutenant.

Military Athlete German Sanchez (2016) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

Germán Sánchez

Staff Sergeant German Saul Sánchez Sánchez, of the National Diving team, won the silver medal in the 10 m Individual Springboard event at the 31st Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.

Military Athlete Nuria Diosado (2018) by Photographic Archive of Mexican Ministry of Defense SEDENAMinistry of National Defense of the Government of Mexico

Nuria Diosdado

Sergeant Nuria Diosdado García has excelled in synchronized swimming, participated in three Olympic Games and won several medals in the Central and Pan American Games.

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