Joaquin Capilla Perez

Joaquín Capilla Pérez was a Mexican diver who won the largest number of Olympic medals among Mexican athletes. 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. He started diving at the age of 15, encouraged by his father who paid him a tostón for each dive. He was discovered by Mario Tovar, who became his coach and mentor. Capilla was known for his elegant and precise style, as well as his courage to attempt difficult dives. He was the first diver to perform a forward 2½ somersault with pike, which he did at the 1956 Olympics. 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. He is widely regarded as one of the best divers and athletes in Mexican history.