Ticket to Paralympic Games of Paris 2024

Roman Ruiz Castro not only broke his personal best but also set a record in Shot Put during the World Para Athletics Championships 2023, which gave him a direct pass to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024

One year before the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the athlete and student of the UANL School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Román Ruiz Castro achieved his goal and got one of the seven seats that the Mexican delegation earned in the last World Parathletics Championships in Paris.

And not only did he get the place, but he also won the silver medal in Shot Put, setting the American continent’s record with a distance of 15.82 meters, which improved his personal best.

He is now focused on winning gold at the 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games to be held in Santiago, Chile, while he awaits his place at the Paralympic Games.

His present and future in sports

In the comfort of his second home, the UANL School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Roman is ready to talk with his coach, Erwin Laberdesque Rodriguez, about his future in para-athletics and his student life.

“Román is a born competitor in life and in sport. Today he is much more mature and performs in the right way. He is disciplined and if you add the experience he acquired, and his runner-up finish in the world championship is the result of all of that,” said his trainer.

Sometimes we do not value what a Paralympic medal is and it is an award for effort. Roman has not changed, he has evolved. He has a strong mentality, he gives the extra and that has led him to be a winner in the classroom and in the field.”

Erwin Laberdesque Rodriguez
Coach

In athletics, we improved a lot thanks to the whole team. We have focused on strength, eating habits, order, and execution. We are confident that the work structure is the right one because it has given us the desired results. We have also been disciplined and we are always looking to improve. All the athletes in the country have improved and we cannot be left behind”.

Roman Ruiz Castro
UANL Athlete

Román recommends not allowing oneself to be defeated by setbacks and advises not to wait for a tragedy or a life-changing event to happen before making the greatest effort.

“Let’s look for ways to move forward to be better and not only get a prize but to achieve our fulfillment as individuals,” said the UANL student,