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FCG International Sports 2009: GEMMA MENGUAL
"For her sports achievements and competitive ability, for having awoken public interest in Spanish synchronised swimming and having raised its standard to the highest levels, as well as for her humane side shown through her collaboration with different aid and cooperation organizations in various parts of Africa.”
According to the Jury met in Valladolid, Spain (June 22nd, 2009), chaired by: Mrs. María del Carmen Izquierdo Vergara, President of the Spanish Sports Press Association, and made up by the Following members: Mr. Germán Camarero Muñoz, Board Representative of EFE News Agency in Castilla Leon; Mr. José Ángel de la Casa Tofiño, journalist; Mr. Ignacio Fernández Sobrino, Regional Director of Onda Cero Radio and Antena 3 Television; Mrs. Celsa Villanueva García, Director of the Castilla Leon Regional Center of TVE Spanish National Television; Mr. Emilio Ybarra Aznar, President of CM Vocento.
GEMMA MENGUAL - biography
(Barcelona, 1977)
She started synchronized swimming when she was just eight years old. Her parents registered her at the Kallipolis Swimming Club (Barcelona), following which her coach, Anna Tarrés, made her part of her team in 1992. In 1994, she became European junior sub-champion. From the outset, her high potential was to be seen in the pool: her commitment, her thirst for self-improvement, her resistance and the incredible strength of her arms and legs were all qualities that catapulted her into a highly successful career. She has won medals in the World Championships held in Barcelona (two bronze medals and one silver medal), Montreal (a silver medal and three bronze medals) and Melbourne (from which she brought back to Spain a total of six medals). Thanks to the results obtained in the European Swimming Championship 2008, Gemma Mengual is the only swimmer in the world to have won four gold medals in the same World or European championship. Additionally, in the Beijing Olympic Games she won two silver medals.
Her work as a sportswoman does not prevent her from dedicating time to collaborating with different organizations such as the NGO H2O for Africa -an initiative of designer Chus Burés to help the development of water resources in Africa-, Cuentos sin Fronteras and Intermón Oxfam. She has let her image be used for the Solidarity Calendar 2009, made by the Abracadabra Foundation of Caring Magicians.
Sports Achievements
2009
Competition Category Medal/Position
European Cup Team Silver
European Cup Doubles Silver
European Cup Combo Gold
2008
European Solo Gold
European Doubles Gold
European Combo Gold
European Team Gold
Beijing Olympic Games Doubles Silver
Beijing Olympic Games Team Silver
2007
FINA World Trophy Combo Bronze
FINA World Trophy Doubles Silver
FINA World Trophy Team Gold
The Princess’ Trophy Solo Gold
The Princess’ Trophy Team Gold
The Princess’ Trophy Doubles Gold
The Princess’ Trophy Combo Gold
European Cup Solo Gold
Australian World Champ. Solo-Technique Silver
Australian World Champ. Solo-Free Bronze
Australian World Champ. Doubles- Techniq Silver
Australian World Champ. Doubles-Free Silver
Australian World Champ. Team-Technique Bronze
Australian World Champ. Team-Free Silver
2006
European Solo Silver
European Doubles Silver
European Combo Silver
European Team Silver
2005
Canada World Champion. Solo Bronze
Canada World Champion. Doubles Silver
Canada World Champion. Team Bronze
Canada World Champion. Combo Bronze
2004
Athens Olympic Games Doubles 4th
Athens Olympic Games Team 4th
European Solo Bronze
2003
Spain World Champion. Solo Bronze
Spain World Champion. Doubles Bronze
Spain World Champion. Team 4th
Spain World Champion. Combo Silver
2002
World Cup Solo 6th
World Cup Doubles 6th
World Cup Team 5th
Spanish Championship Solo Gold
Spanish Championship Doubles Gold
Spanish Championship Team Gold
2001
Japan World Champion. Solo 6th
Japan World Champion. Doubles 5th
Japan World Champion. Team 5th
European Cup Solo Bronze
European Cup Doubles 4th
2000
European Team 4th
Sydney Olympic Games Doubles 8th
1999
European Solo 4th
European Doubles 5th
1998
European Cup "A" Solo 4th
European Cup "A" Doubles 5th
European Cup "A" Team 4th
Australia World Champ. Solo 10th
Australia World Champ. Doubles 11th
Australia World Champ. Team 10th
1997
European Doubles 4th
1996
European Cup "B" Solo Gold
European Cup "B" Doubles Gold
European Cup "B" Team Gold
Distinctions
· Queen Sofía National Sports Award 2005
· Silver Plate in the Government Awards for Sports Merit 2006 (Synchronized Swimming Team)
· Gold Plate in the Government Awards for Sports Merit 2007 (Synchronized Swimming Team)
· Gold Medal in the Government Awards for Sports Merit 2007
· Best National Sportswoman 2007
· XXVII AEPD National Sports Gala Award 2007 (Melbourne Synchronized Swimming Team)
· ARC Award 2007
More information: www.gemmamengual.com