Sophia Hernández is a very mature athlete. 18 years in the world of modern pentathlon They have formed her into a focused, strong woman with a mentality capable of getting up in the most difficult moments.
For several days we tried to meet her, but her demanding schedule between daily training of five sports —swimming, fencing, horse riding, shooting and athletics— and constant preparation trips complicated the meeting.
It was not until hours following the ceremony in which the delegation was sworn in — July 3 — that she finally shared her joy of competing in Paris 2024, her first Olympic Games, an emotion that brings out the best words from the 28-year-old national team member.
“Effort has a reward, but first you have to do the work. Athletes dream not only with their legs, but also with their hearts“, Sophia eloquently expresses, who has found in the pentathlon a philosophy of life, which she tries to apply every day.
“I am excited and grateful to represent Guatemala at the Paris Olympics. It was a dream come true, and even more so being able to do it representing my country,” she adds, recalling that dark episode for national sport, when they participated in 2023 as independent athletes, due to the suspension of the International Olympic Committee.
The emotion is evident on his face. Although he tries to remain serious when he speaks, he laughs when he says: “These are my first Olympic Games and I am very excited to live the full experience and enjoy it to the fullest.”
the beginning
Talking regarding Sophia’s beginnings in this multi-discipline is like going back 18 years, when at the age of 9 she began to come to the facilities of the Pentathlon Association as a hobby, which, as the days went by, became something very special in her life.
“There are always many obstacles along the way and several things that need to be overcome.. It is difficult when one fails and faces the fact that not everything goes as one wants, but perseverance brings results and this is my case when I achieved qualification,” he emphasizes.
The pass to the Paris 2024 Olympics came with the Pan American Games in Chile in 2023, when the national team won the bronze medal, which she remembers as a moment that marked her life forever.
“The Pan American Games were quite difficult for me, because I was coming back from an injury. “I didn’t know how I was going to do, but on the day of the competition I did my best and things worked out,” says the pentathlete.
“I was very happy that day, I crossed the finish line crying. There were a lot of people from Guatemala, they hugged me and I cried, it was exciting,” she says with joy and satisfaction.
Historic
Hernández’s performance at Santiago 2023 was historic, as she became the first woman to win a medal in modern pentathlon at the Pan American level in the individual event, because Ximena Diéguez won bronze alongside Charles Fernández in the mixed relay at Lima 2019.
As an Olympic athlete, she joins the list of other women who have had the opportunity to compete, such as Isabel Brand, in Rio 2016; Rita Sanz, in Beijing 2008, and María Isabel Luna, in Athens 2024.
Sophia Hernandez’s profile
- Born on 14-01-1997.
- He started competing in pentathlon at the age of 9, following having previously studied swimming.
- The specialty is the individual category.
- The pentathlon is made up of swimming, fencing, equestrian, shooting and athletics.
- Medalist at the CA and Caribbean Games in the 2014, 2018 and 2023 editions.
- Bronze medalist at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games, which qualified him for Paris.
- He will compete in Paris on August 8th, starting at 6:30 am.
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