Two-time Olympian Nuria Diosdado will be  paired in the duet for the 2020 Olympics with Joana Jiménez, another veteran on the team who has also been the technical soloist for the last two seasons. Diosdado was swimming for the last four years with Karem Achach.

The Mexican federation has however announced that Achach has retired. This announcement comes a bit as a surprise as Diosdado and Achach were still a successful pair throughout the 2018 season, won two golds in the duet events at the Central and Caribbean Games, and competed together through three FINA World Series meets.

Jiménez has been on the senior national team since 2011 and served as the duet reserve for the 2016 Olympics, so it is only a logical decision she gets this shot. The two have never competed together as a duet in a major international event yet.

“I take it as a new opportunity to reinvent ourselves,” said Diosdado in the press release. “And to see what Joana and I can do together. For me, it is a personal challenge, I was used to working with Karem, but I am excited about this change.”

Jiménez is thrilled about the opportunity: “The goal is to keep growing, and for me it is to adapt as fast as I can. I am excited to do the duet with Nuria because she is a great athlete, full of experience that she can transmit to me. I learn a lot from her and that is appreciated.”

Diosdado and Jiménez will have their eyes set on the 2019 Pan American Games where they could punch their ticket to Tokyo if they win the duet event there. They are also very strong contenders for the gold medal with the team. If needed, they will get another opportunity to make it at the Olympic Qualifier in the spring of 2020.

Article by Christina Marmet.