Former Mexican First Lady Angélica Rivera Returning to Acting in Vix’s New Series “Con Esa Misma Mirada”

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Angélica Rivera has the same look about her…

The 55-year-old Mexican singer, model and telenovela actress, who was the First Lady of Mexico from 2012 to 2018, is returning to acting with a starring role in Vix‘s new series Con Esa Misma Mirada.

After 17 years since her last acting role, Rivera returns to TelevisaUnivision to star in a new adaptation of the Colombian soap Señora Isabel.

“With all my heart,” Rivera posted on Instagram along with a new series teaser.

Con Esa Misma Mirada is based on Bernardo Romero Pereiro’s story about a woman in her fifties who her husband abandons after having an affair with a younger woman. As she copes with the loss of her marriage, she meets a younger man who gives her hope of feeling loved again.

The story became a phenomenon in México when TV Azteca and Argos adapted it in 1997 with the title Mirada de Mujer.

It has since been adapted numerous times. Telemundo made its remake in 2007 as Victoria, starring Victoria Ruffo, and TelevisaUnivision adapted it in 2021 as Si Nos Dejan .

The most recent adaptation was by Colombia’s RCN in 2023 with the telenovela Ana de Nadie.

Rivera is a well-known actress in México having starred in titles like Dulce Desafío, Simplemente María, Mi Pequeña Soledad and La Pícara Soñadora.

In 1991, she starred in Alcanzar Una Estrella II, in which she co-starred with Ricky Martin

Her biggest hit came in 1995 when she starred in La Dueña as Regina Villareal. The telenovela was a massive hit in México, and she named one of her daughters after her fictional character.

Rivera’s last acting role was in 2007’s Destilando Amor, where she played Gaviota. The character was so popular that Mexican media refers to Rivera as Gaviota.

In 2010, she married State of México Governor Enrique Peña Nieto, and that same year, she retired from acting. Nieto became president of México in 2012, and Rivera took on the responsibilities of First Lady of México. Rivera and Nieto divorced in 2019, shortly after his presidential term ended.

Rivera had been courted to return to television, but she didn’t accept until this project with Vix.

Prisca Awiti Alcaraz Earns Mexico’s Ever Olympic Medal in Judo with 2024 Paris Games Performance

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Prisca Awiti Alcaraz has earned Mexico’s first-ever Olympic medal in judo…

The 28-year-old Mexican judoka claimed the silver medal in the women’s 63kg judo competition after losing to Slovenia’s Andreja Leski in the finals at the 2024 Paris Games.

Awiti Alcaraz, an outsider in the main draw who has competed internationally with Mexico since 2017, was defeated by an Ippon, although she had already achieved a Waza-Ari, in one minute and 44 seconds of combat.

Awiti Alcaraz, who was born and raised in London, began representing Mexico since 2017 because her mother is Mexican.

The judoka, whose father is of Kenyan origin, will face Andreja Leski in the Final on the tatami of the Campo de Marte.

Awiti Alcaraz is competing in her second Olympics after the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Awiti, who was thisclose to leaving judo after two serious injuries, has demonstrated to herself and the world why it was all worth the effort to stay in the sport with her historic Olympic medal.

Angela Ruiz, Ana Vasquez & Alejandra Valencia Give Mexico First Medal of 2024 Paris Games

Posted on July 28, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Angela Ruiz, Ana Vasquez and Alejandra Valencia have given Mexico the country’s first medal of the 2024 Paris Games.

The 17-year-old Mexican archer, 23-year-old Mexican archer and 29-year-old Mexican archer claimed the bronze medal in the Women’s Team Archery competition.

After losing to China in the semifinals, 3-5, Ruiz, Vasquez and Valencia recovered to beat Netherlands in the bronze medal match by a score of 6-2 on Sunday.

It’s Valencia’s second Olympic bronze after her third place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Games in the mixed team competition.

It’s the first Olympic medal for Ruiz and Vasquez.

After tying in the first four sets at two apiece, South Korea claimed the gold after a three-arrow shootout against China, who had to settle for the silver.

It was South Korea’s 10th straight triumph in the event.

Javier Aguirre Officially Named Head Coach of Mexico’s National Men’s Soccer Team

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Javier Aguirre is a Tri-time coach…

The 65-year-old Mexican football manager and former footballer who played as a midfielder has been named head coach of Mexico for a third time and will have former captain Rafael Marquez as his assistant, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has announced.

Aguirre will initially take the head coach job and lead the team for two years through the 2026 World Cup, before leaving Marquez in charge ahead of preparations for 2030.

Marquez recently terminated his contract as Barcelona B manager in order to join Mexico.

“Javier has a strong track record, with experience and undisputed leadership in team management, while Rafa has great skill in talent development,” the FMF said in a statement.

Aguirre, who takes over after Jaime Lozano left the team, led Mexico to the round of 16 in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups. Mexico was knocked out in that round at every World Cup between 1994 and 2018, then was eliminated in the group stage in 2022.

“[Aguirre] is without a doubt the Mexican coach with the longest and most recognized career abroad and he also has in-depth knowledge of the processes in national teams,” said Duilio Davino, director of national teams. “‘Rafa’ is one of the most important players in Mexican history with a great national and international career who began his coaching career with an emblematic team.

“We have offered him to be the assistant until 2026 so that he can contribute his knowledge and then assume the leadership.”

After a dismal group stage exit in this summer’s Copa América, Lozano parted ways with the national team earlier this month. Following the Copa, Lozano, who had a record of 10W-4D-7L with Mexico, turned down a demotion that would have let him stay on as an assistant.

“Jaime Lozano was offered, along with his coaching staff, a contract until 2030, in which during 2024-2026 they will accompany a more experienced head coach towards our World Cup, and later it would be Jaime himself who would retake the reins of head coach in the 2026-2030 process,” the FMF said earlier this month.

The first order of business for Aguirre and Marquez will be to prepare for Mexico’s upcoming U.S.-based friendlies against New Zealand on September 7 (at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California) and Canada on September 10 (at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas).

The Mexico City-born manager recently closed out a two-year run as coach of Mallorca in Spain, where he made headlines with a Cinderella run to the final of the 2023-24 Copa del Rey. He also coached the national teams of Japan and Egypt.

Marquez, widely recognized as one of the greatest players in Mexico’s history, took part in five World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018). After retiring, the El Tri legend began coaching Alcala at the youth level in 2020 and Barcelona B in 2022.

As a player, Marquez won four league titles and two Champions League crowns with Barcelona.

Rafa Márquez Becomes Assistant Coach for Mexico National Team

Posted on July 21, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Rafa Márquez is preparing for a special homecoming.

The 45-year-old Mexican football coach, former player and head coach of Barcelona Atlètic, the B team of FC Barcelona, and the Mexican Football Federation have finalized a deal for him to become Javier Aguirre‘s assistant with the Mexico national team.

Marquez will as Aguirre’s assistant for the first two years of the contract before succeeding him as head coach after the 2026 World Cup.

He had previously been a candidate to become the head coach of the Barcelona first-team prior to Xavi‘s exit U-turn in April.

Márquez had informed the Catalan club a few days ago that he was going to consider Mexico’s proposal despite having recently committed to Barcelona B until June 2025.

The former Mexico international had other proposals but decided to renew his contract at Barcelona in June following a season in which he came close to clinching promotion to the second division.

Sources told ESPN that Aguirre wants people on his staff who understand his management style and considers Márquez to be the ideal person to replace him after 2026.

Márquez won 147 caps with Mexico during his playing career and shares the record for appearing in five World Cups.

Aguirre will also be joined in Mexico by Toni Amor, his former assistant at Mallorca, and is now looking for a goalkeeping coach to complete his staff.

Houston Dash Trade María Sánchez to San Diego Wave

Posted on April 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

María Sánchez is making wave(s)…

The 28-year-old Mexican American professional footballer and Mexico international has been traded to the San Diego Wave from the Houston Dash, per ESPN.

The news was first reported by Pro Soccer Wire, which said Houston was expected to receive a transfer fee from San Diego as part of the deal.

The winger’s move to San Diego comes after ESPN reported on Sunday that Sánchez was seeking a trade just four months after signing a lucrative deal with the Dash.

The $1.5 million three-year deal, with a fourth-year option, was at the time the largest in NWSL history. Sánchez was a restricted free agent this past offseason, meaning that Houston had the ability to match any offer from another NWSL team and retain her rights.

Her contract is signed with the league, so it will remain in place with San Diego.

“This has all taken a toll and isn’t an easy thing to talk about,” Sánchez stated on social media on Thursday regarding her request for “an immediate trade.”

The NWSL’s trade window closes at midnight ET on Friday.

Sánchez was one of the key players for Mexico in its run to the semifinals of the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup in March.

Houston has kicked off the 2024 NWSL season with a 1W-1D-2L record, while San Diego has started 1-1-1.

Lila Avilés Among Storytellers Immortalized with Barbie Doll in Their Likeness for International Women’s Day

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Lila Avilés is getting all dolled up…

The 42-year-old Mexican film director, screenwriter, actress and producer, whose meteoric rise on the international stage after just two feature films that have both represented Mexico at the Oscars, is among eight women storytellers selected by Mattel to be immortalized with Barbie dolls in their likeness.

Avilés joins Academy Award-winning actors Helen Mirren and Viola Davis along with country-pop artist Shania Twain, Australia’s Kylie Minogue, German comedian Enissa Amani, Japanese model Nicole Fujita and Brazilian Indigenous influencer Maira Gomez who have been selected as Barbie role models in honor of International Women’s Day.

Their dolls will be one of a kind and not for sale.

Said Mattel in a statement: “Since the brand’s inception, Barbie has helped girls explore their limitless potential through different roles and narratives – from encouraging self-expression through dress-up to playing out any of her 250+ careers. With Barbie by their sides, countless children have been able to imagine their own stories through play that help shape their real-life futures.”

“The brand is sharing countless stories of empowerment and bringing her legendary legacy to life through the eyes and words of fans everywhere, starting with some of the most renowned storytellers out there,” it continued.

Given the phenomenal box office and critical success of Greta Gerwig’s multi-Oscar nominated movie, Barbie, the company chose the storytelling theme for this year.

Last year’s theme was STEM, which covered women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. That year, Engineer Katya Echazarreta, the first Mexican-born woman in space, was among the few to be chosen for a Barbie doll to be made in her likeness.

Describing her selection as an “incredible, beautiful and surreal surprise,” Avilés expressed her delight at the recognition. “It’s not only me but my career that is being honored,” she told Variety.

The figurine portrays her with a camera on her shoulder, a script in one hand and her beloved cat by her feet.

Her latest film, Totem, which landed on the long list for the Oscar’s Best International Feature category, has played in more than 100 film festivals and will be rolling out theatrically across 40+ countries, including the U.S. where it’s still out. It’s slated to play on the Criterion Channel and just became available on Netflix Latin America.

“People ask me if my movies are feminist. In as much as my protagonists are women, they are, in an organic way,” she said. “The Chambermaid, my feature debut, gave voice to a woman who’s ostensibly invisible to many,” she noted. “Totem delves into childhood and the idea that childhood is destiny,” she added, recalling the times when she and her brother played with each other’s toys, including her Barbie dolls.

This doll is hers to keep. Fortunately, her daughter is already in her teens so may not be clamoring to play with it.

Lizbeth Ovalle Scores Two Goals to Help Propel Mexico to CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup Semifinals

Posted on March 3, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Lizbeth Ovalle’s golden hour continues…

The 24-year-old Mexican footballer, who plays as a midfielder for Tigres UANL and the Mexico women’s national team, scored two goals as Mexico advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup with a 3-2 victory over Paraguay on Sunday.

Karen Luna also scored and Esthefanny Barreras saved a penalty for Mexico, which followed up its landmark victory over the U.S. on Monday by outlasting Paraguay in a thrilling second half featuring four goals and many more chances for both teams.

Mexico will face Brazil in the semifinals in San Diego on Wednesday.

Mexico conceded its first two goals of the Gold Cup, but still hung on with the backing of an unsurprisingly supportive crowd of 13,229 at BMO Stadium in the U.S. city that’s considered the second home of Mexico’s national teams.

Ovalle extended her star-making performance in this tournament by scoring in each half, giving her five goals in Gold Cup play. The Tigres forward also scored the first goal in the first half of Mexico’s 2-0 stunner over the U.S. with a floating shot over the defense.

Camila Barbosa and Rebeca Fernández scored in the second half for Paraguay, which lost to Mexico for the third time in the nations’ four meetings.

Mexico reached the Gold Cup quarterfinals with three clean sheets in group play, capped by that victory over the powerhouse Americans — just its second win ever over the U.S. and first since 2013.

Although Mexico didn’t qualify for last year’s Women’s World Cup, it still hasn’t lost an international match since an exhibition defeat in September 2022.

Mexico dominated play early and took the lead in the 31st minute when a centering pass from California-born-and-raised forward Scarlett Camberos bounced through Paraguay’s defense to Ovalle, who hit the far bottom corner of the net.

Mexico scored again in the 49th minute when Ovalle’s corner was deflected to the top of the penalty area to the 26-year-old Luna, who hammered it home for the second goal of her first international tournament with Mexico.

Paraguay forward Jessica Martínez got a penalty shot in the 51st minute after she was taken down in the box, but Barreras made a diving arm stop and smothered the follow-up, prompting the Los Angeles crowd to chant her name.

Paraguay kept up its attack, but Mexico defender Rebeca Bernal blocked one shot with her body and headed another off the goal line in a lengthy scramble moments later.

Barbosa finally got Paraguay on the board in the 64th minute, converting Dulce Quintana‘s corner for the first goal allowed by Mexico in the tournament.

Mexico regained a two-goal lead when Stephany Mayor forced a turnover and broke in all alone on goalkeeper Alicia Bobadilla, who stopped Mayor’s shot but couldn’t get in front of Ovalle’s rebound score.

Fernandez got behind Mexico’s back line moments later and made it 3-2. But Paraguay couldn’t find an equalizer.

Mexico’s Osmar Olvera Ibarra Wins Men’s 1-Meter Springboard Gold at World Aquatics Championships

Posted on February 4, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

It’s the golden hour for Osmar Olvera Ibarra.

The 19-year-old Mexican diver has given his country its second diving gold medal in the history of the World Aquatics Championships, winning the men’s 1-meter springboard Saturday.

Olvera became the first diver from a country other than China to claim the top spot in the event since Alexandre Despatie of Canada in 2005.

Paolo Espinosa is the only other Mexican diving world champion, capturing gold on the 10-meter platform at Rome in 2009.

Olvera was a silver medalist on both 1- and 3-meter springboard at last summer’s world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Now, he’s got some gold-medal momentum with the 2024 Paris Games just five months away.

Olvera led the morning preliminaries and cruised through the final, posting a score of 431.75 points over six dives. The silver went to Li Shixin of Australia at 395.70, while Ross Haslam of Britain took the bronze in 393.10.

China, which has dominated diving at both the Olympics and world championships, claimed its first gold in Doha when 13-year-old Huang Jianjie and Zhang Jiaqi won the mixed 10-meter synchronized platform.

With its focus firmly on Paris, China sent a scaled-back team to Doha, giving other nations a chance to shine. The diving superpower didn’t enter the first two events Friday and is assured of its fewest gold medals at worlds since settling for eight in 2017.

Over the past three championships, China has claimed 37 of 39 gold medals.

Zheng Jiuyuan of China lost any chance of cracking the 1-meter medal stand with a botched dive in the fifth round, nearly landing on his knees. He finished 11th out of 12 finalists.

Li’s silver-medal performance marked another remarkable turn for the 35-year-old diver, who captured 1-meter gold for his native China at both the 2011 and 2013 worlds before moving to Australia.

In the mixed event, Huang and 19-year-old Zhang romped to victory for China with 353.82 points. Zhang added to the gold won at Fukuoka while paired with Wang Feilong.

Jo Jin Mi and Im Yong Myong of North Korea took the silver with 303.96 points, while the bronze went to Kevin Berlin Reyes and Alejandra Estudillo Torres of Mexico at 296.13.

In other finals on Day 2 of the first world championships held in the Middle East, Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands pulled off a thrilling victory in the women’s 10-kilometer race and Evangelia Platanioti of Greece took artistic swimming gold in women’s solo technical.

Van Rouwendaal touched first in 1 hour, 57 minutes, 26.80 seconds — one-tenth of a second ahead of Maria de Valdes of Spain. The bronze went to Angelica Andre of Portugal, who was 1.4 seconds behind the winner.

On the last of six laps around the Old Doha Port, Moesha Johnson of Australia faded from the lead to fourth as van Rouwendaal showed off her finishing kick in the final 500 meters of the rough-and-tumble race.

The 30-year-old van Rouwendaal regained the title she held at the 2022 world championships in Budapest, Hungary. She finished fourth last summer in Fukuoka, where Leonie Beck of Germany swept the 5K and 10K titles. Beck finished 20th at Doha, 45 seconds behind the winner.

Van Rouwendaal is a longtime star on the open water circuit. She won gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and grabbed a silver at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

The 29-year-old Platanioti paced the final of solo technical with 272.9633 points. Jacqueline Simoneau of Canada claimed the silver (269.2767), and Xu Huiyan of China took bronze (262.3700).

Many top athletes are skipping Doha, which is hosting the worlds a year behind schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time the world championships have been held in the same calendar year as the Summer Games.

Andrés Guardado Signs with Liga MX’s León

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Andrés Guardado is making his triumphant return to Mexico.

The 37-year-old Mexican professional footballer, a midfielder who retired from the national team in 2023 after a record-breaking 179 appearances for Mexico, has been signed by Liga MX’s León side.

The former Mexico captain and five-time World Cup participant is returning to Liga MX after last playing for boyhood club Atlas in 2007.

After leaving Atlas, Guardado had a lengthy 17-year run in European club soccer that took him through Deportivo La Coruña, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, and most recently, Real Betis.

Guardado stands as the Mexican with the most seasons in European soccer and as the all-time non-domestic leader in appearances (218) with Real Betis.

“The Green and White Captain has been key in the sporting growth in recent years. With him, the team has qualified for European competitions four times and also won the Copa del Rey in 2022,” Real Betis said in a statement.

“The Club would like to effusively thank Guardado for his services and wish him all the best in the future.”

Under the guidance of new manager Jorge Bava, León kicked off the 2024 Clausura season on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss at home to Tigres.

Earlier in December, the 2023 Concacaf Champions League winners were knocked out in their debut match at the Club World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Urawa Red Diamonds.

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