This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating eight female athletes who have redefined excellence across sports and carved a new path for future generations.

@natalia_grossman

ㅤ

Natalia Grossman is one of the brightest stars in climbing, with major international titles in both bouldering and lead. She made history in 2021 by winning the overall IFSC Bouldering World Cup, claiming gold in bouldering and silver in lead at the World Championships, and becoming the first American woman in over 25 years to secure a world title. Grossman earned her spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by winning gold in the combined event at the Pan American Games.

ㅤ

After beginning climbing at age six, Grossman moved with her family to Boulder at 15 to pursue elite training. She made history in 2024 as the first Latina to climb for Team USA at the Olympics, proudly representing her Mexican-American heritage on the world stage.

@chicanita.boxing

ㅤ

With seven national titles to her name, including five Junior National Championships, Chantel Navarro is a rising force in boxing. The Glendale, California native holds an undefeated professional record of 6-0 with three knockouts, showcasing her signature speed and fearless style each time she steps into the ring.

ㅤ

Navarro’s journey is rooted in a deep family tradition of boxing. Trained by her father, former pro Ignacio Navarro, she follows in the footsteps of her uncle José, a 2000 Olympian, and uncle Carlos, who turned professional after qualifying for the 1996 Games. Chantel proudly embraces her Mexican heritage and continues to build on the Navarro legacy while inspiring young athletes to chase their dreams.

@gabrielajaquezz

ㅤ

Gabriela Jaquez has made a name for herself as a dynamic guard for UCLA women’s basketball. Known for her scoring ability and versatility on the court, she led Mexico’s national team in points at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup prequalifying tournament, helping guide her team to the semifinals. In addition to basketball, Gabriela played for UCLA’s softball team during the 2023 NCAA tournament.

ㅤ

A proud Mexican-American, Jaquez hopes to inspire future players, building a community in the sport. She said, "The women's side of basketball is very diverse. But the Mexican community in [the WNBA] is pretty slim. I definitely hope to grow that."

@leylahannietennis

ㅤ

At just 23, Leylah Fernández has captured four WTA singles titles, including victories in Monterrey, Hong Kong, and Washington DC, and reached the US Open final in 2021 after a series of upsets over top-five opponents. She also excels in doubles, reaching multiple finals including Roland Garros and Cincinnati, and helped Canada lift the Billie Jean King Cup in 2023.

ㅤ

Fernández is Ecuadorian on her father’s side. This year, she was awarded the Pionera Award by Latinos in Sports, sharing, “My Ecuadorian roots and culture are a big part of what I do, how I train, compete and view the world. I am extremely proud to represent Latinas in sports and showcase what we are capable of doing.”

@juji_angie

ㅤ

Angelica Delgado is a three-time Olympian and Team USA’s top-ranked judoka in the 52kg division, having competed at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. She is also the only American to medal at a Grand Slam event since 2016 and has consistently placed among the world’s best at multiple World Championships.

ㅤ

Born in Miami, Florida, Delgado was introduced to judo at age nine by her father, Miguel Delgado, a former Cuban National Team member. Delgado said, “Little girls who are predominantly Hispanic come up to me at my home dojo all the time… It feels amazing to be able to inspire the next generation. They’ll grow up knowing they can do it, too.”

@itzi.gzz54

ㅤ

Ixhelt Gonzalez is a decorated U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball player making waves on the international stage. A two-time Paralympian, she earned a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 and followed it with a silver at Paris 2024. Gonzalez joined the U.S. national team at just 13 and has continued to dominate internationally, including a bronze at the 2023 World Championships.

ㅤ

Born and raised in Chicago, Gonzalez’s parents are of Mexican descent. Gonzalez said, “During the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, I realized how many of my dreams became a reality. It started with wanting to play this sport on its biggest stage, wanting to play with my role models, and winning a Paralympic medal.”

@sarah.escobar_

ㅤ

Sarah Escobar’s skiing career began at just three years old in Stowe, Vermont, where her parents enrolled her in ski school. Over the years, she competed across New Jersey and New Hampshire before continuing her athletic journey at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. In 2022, Escobar made history as Ecuador’s first female Olympic skier, competing in giant slalom and proudly carrying her nation’s flag at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

ㅤ

Born to Ecuadorian immigrants, Escobar embraces her dual nationality and sees her platform as a way to inspire the next generation of athletes. She shared, “It's my responsibility and my duty to represent my parents' country, and it's an opportunity to be a voice for women my age and a voice for the new generation to reach out and tell them everything is possible if you follow your dreams.”

@erica.castano

ㅤ

Erica Maria Castaño is a Paralympic gold medalist in the F55 category, which features athletes competing in a seated position with full arm function, partial trunk function, and no leg function. At the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Castaño showcased her power in the shot put, throwing 26.07 meters from her wheelchair to secure the top podium spot and cement her place among the world’s elite para-throwers.

ㅤ

Castaño competes for Colombia, where she has been a trailblazer in Para athletics. In 2019, she made history by becoming the first female Para athlete from Colombia to win a gold medal at the World Championships.