Joaquín Capilla

Joaquín Capilla Pérez (December 23, 1928 – May 8, 2010), was a Mexican diver who won the largest number of Olympic medals among Mexican athletes. Together with his elder brother Alberto he competed in the 3 m springboard and 10 m platform at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics and won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals, finishing fourth in the two remaining competitions. He also won four medals at the Pan American Games, in 1951 and 1955. After retiring from competitions Capilla descended into poverty, chain smoking and alcoholism, eventually losing his family and home. He recovered owing to religion and later earned a degree in theology. In 2009 he was awarded the National Sports Award. He died the next year in 2010 as a result of cardiac arrest, at the age of 81.[1][2]

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Capilla and the second or maternal family name is Pérez.
Joaquín Capilla
Capilla at the 1952 Olympics
Personal information
BornDecember 23, 1928
Mexico City, Mexico[1]
DiedMay 8, 2010 (aged 81)
Mexico City, Mexico
Sport
SportDiving
Medal record
Representing  Mexico
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1956 Melbourne Platform
Silver medal – second place 1952 Helsinki Platform
Bronze medal – third place 1948 London Platform
Bronze medal – third place 1956 Melbourne Springboard
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1951 Buenos Aires Springboard
Gold medal – first place 1951 Buenos Aires Platform
Gold medal – first place 1955 Mexico City Springboard
Gold medal – first place 1955 Mexico City Platform

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joaquín Capilla.
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Joaquín Capilla". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020.
  2. "Fallece Joaquín Capilla". Milenio.com. May 8, 2010. Archived from the original on May 11, 2010.


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