Michel Muñoz's Gritty Pursuit of Paralympic Success

Michel Muñoz Malagón, the historic rowing selection for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, is making the last part of his preparation for the 2024 Americas Olympic and Paralympic Qualifying Regatta to be held from March 14 to 17 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he will seek his place in Paris 2024.

“The goal is to win this competition and get the place to be again in the Paralympic Games; the truth is that they are all strong rivals, I have never demerited the work of any of them, but I am well-prepared and mentally prepared. Throughout my five years (in this discipline), I have matured a lot mentally and athletically, the goal is to win the competition and be in Paris, “said Michel Muñoz, in an interview with the National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE).

Michel Muñoz managed to inscribe his name in the history of para-sports in Mexico, being the first national to qualify for the Paralympic Games in the para-rowing discipline. To repeat his pass to the highest level of adapted sports, he will have to obtain the first place in his category and get as close as possible to the time of the first place at world level.

“It has been a strong preparation, the truth is that they have been very heavy loads and months, I'm used to the workload. I'm not at one hundred percent every day, but in the good moments I try to give my best version, take all the physical preparation I've had and show it in the water. I have had positive results, I feel very happy and satisfied with the work I have achieved, I was able to achieve times that I had not been able to achieve, the truth is that I am very happy, because I know I will do a great performance and have a great competition in Brazil”.

The gold medalist in the PR1 M1x category, in the South American Championship Chile 2023, who is preparing under the supervision of the national coach Alejandra Menzi, is doing a training camp at the headquarters of the continental regatta, with the support of CONADE.

“Between the Michel Muñoz of Tokyo 2020 and the current one there is a huge difference, the truth is that I had a mental, personal and sporting maturation; my approach has changed 360 degrees, I feel much better, with more confidence and knowing that I am going to a track that I already know that I know how to handle one hundred percent. I feel very happy to have had this great process and raise my personal confidence to be able to achieve it, the truth is that I already see myself with the first place medal, I'm going for it,” said the para rower, who also advised: “Never limit yourself, never give up and always seek to go beyond what you believe you are capable of achieving”.