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 as a result of cardiac arrest.[1][2]

This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Capilla and the second or maternal family name is Pérez.

Joaquín Capilla

Capilla at the 1952 Olympics
Personal information
Born	December 23, 1928 Mexico City, Mexico[1]
Died	May 8, 2010 (aged 81) Mexico City, Mexico
Sport
Sport	Diving
Medal record Representing  Mexico Olympic Games 1948 London Platform 1952 Helsinki Platform 1956 Melbourne Platform 1956 Melbourne Springboard Pan American Games 1951 Buenos Aires Springboard 1951 Buenos Aires Platform 1955 Mexico City Springboard 1955 Mexico City Platform

See also

• List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame

References

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.