The Zacatecas open water swimming delegation delivered an outstanding performance at Oceanman Cozumel 2026, one of the most important events on the international calendar for the discipline. The competition was held last weekend in the waters of the Mexican Caribbean, bringing together hundreds of athletes from different states across Mexico and from abroad.
Representatives from Zacatecas competed in the 500-meter, 1.5-kilometer, 5-kilometer, and 10-kilometer events, as well as the new OceanFins category, which is contested with fins. The swimmers faced demanding sea conditions while demonstrating the growth and competitive level that open water swimming has achieved in the state.
The Kukulkanz team, from the Guadalupe Olympic Pool and coached by Omar Espino, was represented by Virginia Mercado Villa (5 km, 30–39 age category), Jazmín Castañeda Castorena (5 km, 30–39 age category), who achieved an outstanding fifth-place finish in her category, Anabel Rivero Garza (5 km, 40–49 age category), Héctor Alvarado (5 km, 40–49 age category), and Marcela Villa (1.5 km and 10 km, 40–49 age category).
The Golden Shark team, coached by Adrián Ibarra, was represented by Laura Carrillo (5 km, 20–29 age category) and Lorena Flores Aguilar, who is a member of both Golden Shark and Kukulkanz. During the competition, Flores Aguilar participated in the new OceanFins event, where she finished sixth among female competitors and ninth overall. She also competed in the 10-kilometer event.
Meanwhile, the IMSS Zacatecas team, coached by Juan Ángel Ramírez Márquez and Rubén Castañón Sosa, included Valeria Esparza Ramírez (1.5 km, 20–29 age category), María Luisa Zamora Miranda (1.5 km, 60–69 age category), María del Pilar Amaya Navarro (5 km, 60–69 age category), María Elena Muñoz Goytia (10 km, 60–69 age category), Daniela Tezolpilikyolohtli Toribio Casas (5 km, 30–39 age category), Celtzin Lilith Alejandra Correa Toribio (500 m, 12-year-old category), and Sergio Abraham Castillo Ruiz Esparza (5 km, 30–39 age category).
The Shark team, from the INCUFIDEZ swimming pool, was represented by Óscar Neri, who competed in the 10-kilometer event in the 40–49 age category.
As a result of their performances, six swimmers from Zacatecas qualified for the Oceanman World Championship, which will take place next November in the Dominican Republic.
Representing IMSS Zacatecas, María Luisa Zamora Miranda, María del Pilar Amaya Navarro, Sergio Abraham Castillo Ruiz Esparza, and Celtzin Lilith Alejandra Correa Toribio earned their qualification for the Oceanman World Championship in the Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, Virginia Mercado Villa and Jazmín Castañeda Castorena qualified representing Kukulkanz, both in the 5-kilometer event. Castañeda Castorena also stood out with her fifth-place finish in her age category.
Source: ntrzacatecas
