Triathletes Cecilia and Irving Pérez have Olympic dreams

Once they experienced the Olympic experience, it is difficult to think that they will not try again. Triathletes Cecilia and Irving Pérez not only share the same last name, but they also have a burning desire and they are already planning the path they will take to participate in the summer games once again.

Realizing that a 33rd place for Cecilia or the 22nd place achieved by Irving in Rio 2016 does not show their full potential, both closed yesterday with a victory in the Xel-Há Triathlon in the 2017 season and they are already beginning to plan the path that will take them to Tokyo 2020.

"I suffered a lot during the past Olympic cycle, it was literally blood, sweat, and tears, everything happened to me, but well... one learns, grows, and matures as a person, as an athlete, and for what's to come, I hope to qualify in a better way, more solid and better prepared. I'm looking to be one of the best in the world, I don't just want to qualify, I want to have a place and for people to see that we continue to grow and work," detailed Cecilia, who won the Riviera Maya triathlon for the fourth consecutive year and assured that she hopes that her Olympics will be much calmer than the previous ones, so she can arrive in her prime at the Olympic Games.

Cecilia participated this weekend in the Xel-Há Triathlon, defeating her countrywomen Mayra Castañeda and Fabiola Corona with a time of 02:10:09 hours.

Irving Pérez also knows the path he must take and what he has to work on, but he highlighted that finishing the season with a victory and without injuries is the ideal start.

"We had a good competition, especially because David (Mendoza) and I were not fighting for the number one spot in the national rankings and this victory consolidated me in the position. We are teammates, very good friends, but I know where it hurts him, he knows where it hurts me. He did very well," he said regarding Xel-Há, where he finished with a time of 01:54:31, just a minute behind Mendoza. "Now the good part comes, as the Central American Games are coming, then the Pan American Games... but the main goal is Tokyo. I want to work in a way that allows me to be more precise, adapting my body to perfection," explained the 31-year-old triathlete, who assured that he will work on his last kilometer finishes in order to maintain a high speed.

Not forgetting Jojutla

Although he has been living in Guadalajara for 13 years, Irving Pérez has a strong connection with Jojutla and experienced moments of great tension during the September 19 earthquake.

"I experienced stressful weeks with my family, I was born there, but now it is my turn to help. Supporting those who need it the most from Jalisco. I will soon go to bring more things (kitchens and mattresses)... the help is really needed. I would like to see if next year I can do something for the rehabilitation of Jojutla. I want to see if I can build a park or anything, because it was quite damaged. Above all, revive the economy... I will continue to collaborate as long as it doesn't neglect my sport, which is my job," he concluded.

Xel-Há TRIATHLON RESULTS

MEN

1. I. Pérez - 01:54:31

2. D. Mendoza - 01:55:30

3. A. Garza - 01:56:42

WOMEN

1. C. Pérez - 02:10:09

2. M. Castañeda - 02:16:40

3. F. Corona - 02:18:43