The inaugural International University Open: An attractive competition with a bright future

CUERNAVACA, MEXICO - The city of Cuernavaca, Mexico, hosted from July 27th to August 1st, the first International University Open in Modern Tetrathlon. The competition, organized in collaboration between UIPM and FISU (International University Sports Federation) had a clear and common goal: establishing a trial event of the sport within the University framework.

In total, 33 student-athletes from 20 higher education institutions and representing Mexico, Cuba, United States, Venezuela, Japan and Canada pushed themselves to the limit in a perfect illustration of the synergy between sports and education.

In the first day the Men`s Individual Competition saw the local student-athlete Andres Garza (Escuela Nacional de Entrenadores Deportivos-Mexico) beat all the competitors after a thrilling final. Garza started the combined event in 11th place but a strong run in downtown Cuernavaca made him reach the gold medal. Diego Arriaga (Universidad Anáhuac México) and Jhonnatan Ortega (Universidad del Valle del Mexico), also from Mexico, achieved the 2nd and 3rd places, respectively.

On the day two, Katia Martinez (MEX), student-athlete from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico claimed gold in the Women`s Individual Competition after beating her fellow countrywoman Mariana Arceo (Centro Iberoamericano de Ciencias del Deporte). In third place, Eliani Cámara (CUB), student of the Instituto Superior de Cultura Física Manuel Fajardo, overcame the American, Monet Moreau (University of the Incarnate Word).

The Mixed Relay competition closed the programme of the International University Open with a spectacular performance of the home team Kelly Mendonza and Andres Garza. The duo made it to a stunning victory after starting the Combined Event in fourth place. Canadians (Beatrice Cigagna and Garnett Stevens) and Cubans (Eliani Cámara and Jose Figueroa) got second and third respectively.