Background and Relevance of Mexican Athletes
Nineteen Mexican athletes traveled to Tokyo, Japan, hoping to bring a new dawn for their country. It has been 22 years since Mexico last heard its national anthem at a World Championship, when Ana Guevara won the gold medal in the 400 meters.
The Mexican marathoners (in the 20km and 35km) make up a majority – with ten – within the group of athletes that also includes specialists in the 100m, 200m, and 5000m races, long jump, high jump, and shot put. Uziel Muñoz and Miriam Sánchez were the first two names that projected Mexico among the world’s best, in shot put (silver medal) and the 200 meters (semifinals), respectively.
Athletic Performance and Areas for Improvement
Juan Luis Barrios, a former five-time Pan American medalist and two-time Olympic medalist, provided El Economista with an assessment of Mexico’s representation.
“Mexico arrived in Tokyo with fewer participants than in previous World Championships, but with greater efficiency. After two editions without medals, Uziel Muñoz achieved a historic silver in shot put and demonstrates that it is possible to compete in events where success seemed impossible before. This obliges us to believe and bet more strongly on well-structured processes, with comprehensive preparation and constant international presence. The same can be thought of the young athlete Miriam Sánchez, who reached the semifinals of the 200 meters. This confirms that, although not everyone arrives to contend for a medal, there is real potential in shot put, long-distance running, and middle-distance events to make it to the finals and dream of more podiums in the coming years. Eduardo Herrera – 5000 meters – has the potential to reach the final and secure a very good position,” Barrios said from Tokyo, now an athletics coach.
Uziel, with experience as an Olympic finalist in Paris 2024, surpassed his own mark (21.97 meters) in Tokyo 2025 and gave Mexico its first world championship medal in throwing events. His silver medal ended a dry spell since 2017, when Guadalupe González won the gold in London 2017. The Chihuahua athlete was the only Latin American competitor in the medal-deciding throws.
Expert Analysis and Future Prospects
Katy López, a specialized journalist in athletics covering the Tokyo World Championships, commented on Mexico’s performance and areas for improvement.
“Uziel was a 70% probability expectation, not 100%, but also not 50% because he was an Olympic finalist, and after his toe surgery earlier this year, he was very consistent in his process to qualify for the World Championships. He made marks above 21 meters… Having Uziel as the only Latin American representative in the spot is great, but the problem lies with other events; we lack consistency to bring three marathoners, male or female, and compete at a level that places them in the second or even third group. There’s ambivalence between the field, which has a very good generation, and speed on the track. There are sub-23 athletes in a very positive and enjoyable growth process, but the balance is completely off in long-distance running and walking events,” López said.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: How many Mexican athletes participated in the Tokyo World Athletics Championships? A: Nineteen athletes represented Mexico in various disciplines.
- Q: What events did Mexican athletes excel in? A: Uziel Muñoz won silver in shot put, and Miriam Sánchez reached the semifinals of the 200 meters. There is potential in long-distance running, middle-distance events, and shot put.
- Q: What challenges does Mexican athletics face? A: Consistency is lacking in marathon and long-distance events, as well as a balanced representation between field and track disciplines.
