The 2012 Summer Olympics in London are about to jump off and unlike any other event in all of sports, the Olympics are an affair the entire world watches with vested interest. They bring drama – remember Paraguayan beauty Leryn Franco and the javelin? Trust us no one was watching the javelin; historic achievement – Puerto Rico’s male basketball team beating NBA players on Team USA in 2004; and even a golden boy in the form of Oscar De La Hoya poignantly winning Olympic gold for his mother. So what do this year’s games have in store? Who will be the next big thing? The Cinderella? Or who will capture that coveted Wheaties box? We have our eye on a few Latino athletes you should be watching at the Olympics.
Gymnastics
John Orozco
Gymnastics is not the first thing that comes to mind when you mention the Bronx. But, 19-year-old Puerto Rican John Orozco from the boogie down is a favorite in the Men’s Gymnastics category at this summer’s games. Training since he was just seven, Orozco won his first medal at age eight and has dedicated most of his life to the sport. Coming from a family of gymnasts – brothers Erik, Manny and Jason all train and teach the sport – Orozco has been preparing for this summer by competing across the world and picking up accolades and titles along the way. Despite making it to Team USA, Orozco’s dreams aren’t limited to just the mat – he hopes to grace the silver screen and stage as well. “I love singing and acting,” Orozco recently told People magazine. He got his first taste of Hollywood as the star of the group Gym Class Heroes video, “Fighter.” Not a bad way to start out and London may be his biggest stage yet.
Running
Leonel “Leo” Manzano
Dubbed by many in the press as the fastest Hispanic man alive, Mexican American middle distance runner Leo Manzano, who hails from the Lone Star state of Texas, is no Olympic rookie. Manzano represented the United States in the 1,500 meter at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, but failed to qualify for its final. Pressing on after Beijing, Manzano had a breakthrough season at the international level in 2009, qualifying for the World Championships 1,500 meter event final. Earlier this month he shocked many by beating out two well regarded distance runners in Oregon to qualify for his second Olympic team. After the victory Manzano told USA Today “There aren’t a lot of 1,500 meter runners coming out of Texas…I think I’m one of two. But everybody’s really excited…” With the type of kick Manzano displayed at the trials and nothing but medal on his mind, many are figuring for him to be much more of a factor in London.
Joseph Diaz Jr.
Boxing
A baby faced bruiser is a familiar character in the world of boxing. This time around, it belongs to a fierce and hardworking boxer, Joseph Diaz, Jr., a California native who turned to the sport to defend himself against neighborhood bullies. But in the ring, Diaz took to the sport like a fish to water. After finishing high school, the 19-year-old wanted to turn pro to help his family financially. But his trainer (who’s also his father) convinced him to train for the Olympics first. Prolonging his quest for stability has worked in his favor. The Mexican American bantamweight fighter is the youngest boxer ever to qualify for the Men’s Boxing team. But he doesn’t doubt his skill and determination will make him a champ. “I know I can do it,” Diaz said in an interview with the Washington Post. “I know I can keep getting better and be a world champion.” If his amateur career is any indication Diaz will be a familiar face after the London games.
Gymnastics
Danell Leyva
Asthma, long arms and ADD aren’t the ingredients that go into making an Olympic gymnast. Unless, that is, you’re Danell Leyva. The child of two gymnasts that emigrated from Cuba when he was a toddler has become a wiz on the parallel bars and high bars. Training since childhood at his parents’ Miami gym, 20 year old Leyva has been reaching for the gold for as long as he can remember. “My mom didn’t want me to be a gymnast because of my physical problems,” Leyva told EFE in a recent report. “It was hard, I couldn’t jump, but I had a lot of heart and passion for the sport.” Their support extends to all that he does and we’re sure they’ll support his career in the many directions it takes. Leyva also happens to be a painter and aspiring musician who has his eyes on numerous prizes after his gymnastics career reaches its apex.
Tae Kwan Do
Steven López
Apparently two gold medals and one bronze is not enough for 33 year old Steven López, a Nicaraguan American who is returning to compete at the summer games this year. Despite having three medals under his belt, López is eager to experience Olympic glory once more. The New York native first competed at the games in 2000 where he won his first gold medal as a featherweight competitor and again as a welterweight in 2004. In 2008, he and his siblings Mark and Diana made history when they competed on the same team and were coached by older brother Jean. The “first family of Tae Kwan Do” is eager to make history once more in London. Jean remains Steven’s coach and little sister Diana is also competing at this years’ games. “I look to my brothers as my support system as the taekwondo gurus that they are,” López said to the Associated Press in a recent interview. ”It’s not just me in the ring, I feel like it’s all of us. It’s an army within a family going to war.”
If you liked this article, check these out: The Latino Athletes to Watch at the 2016 Summer Olympics; The Latino Athletes Changing the Face of College Basketball