Mexico's return to the Open Water Swimming World Cup calendar is a major moment for the nation's swimming community, and one that represents a significant milestone for athletes like Paulo Strehlke Delgado.
As one of the nation’s brightest talents in the sport, the event marks the first time that Delgado - along with his 23 competing countrymates - have raced an international event of this scale on home soil.
The 20-year-old Morelos native claimed his nation’s first World Cup medal in the 3km Knockout Sprint in Golfo Aranci last season; sharing the podium with his ‘favourite athlete’ in the process.
“I've always said, and I’ve told him personally, Greg [Paltrinieri] is my favorite swimmer - I really look up to him,” he said speaking after his silver medal win.
2026 Continued to be a terrific season for the youngster, one that he rounded out with four gold medals and a silver at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, a national record in the 1500m Freestyle, and a silver medal at the Pan Pacific Games behind 2020 Olympic champion, Florian Wellbrock.
Start in Swimming
His home city of Cuernavaca gave him his start in the sport; something he initially began for safety reasons due to the high number of natural bodies of water in the region.
He soon found success in both the pool and open water, and maintains a strong and budding presence in both sports today.
“In the pool, I'm not at a high level yet, and I would like to get there. I really like the pool but right now, I’m definitely stronger in open water.
“I would really like to continue do both, but for now my focus is just on open water.”
Delgado is like many athletes who balance both sports alongside one another - a fact which uniquely places him to comment on the appeal and nature of open water.
“In open water, somebody that has never done anything can suddenly win. Myself in Italy for example, I just popped out!
“I think that's great, and you also have to adapt a lot. It’s way more interesting because it’s difficult to predict or know who is going to win. Yes, there might be favourites, but anything can happen.
“The audience watching will never know who is going to take the win.
“Because the race is long, it can be the case that somebody who is leading completely drops off in the last lap, or somebody who was in 20th position suddenly pushes through and wins the race.”
Childhood Dream & Racing on Home Soil
At just 20-years-old, Delgado has already carved out a significant profile in the sport - something which he takes in his stride.
“I don’t have any problems with expectation, it creates a bit of pressure, but it’s very cool to receive that praise.
“Yes there might be focus on me, but it feels great. When I was a kid, I always wanted to be this so I’m really happy that I’ve managed to get to this level already.”
The significance of racing a World Cup on home soil is relished by all 24 Mexico team athletes competing.
For Delgado, it marks a special experience he gets to share not only with home fans, but with friends and family as well.
“With this stop being in Mexico, I do feel like there’s an expectation - not pressure - but expectation to perform and make the country proud.
“I'm pretty excited again to compete at this level again.
“I like that there was the opportunity for so many (more) Mexican athletes to come.
“I feel excited for them because for most of them, it’s their first World Cup.
"You learn from all the other athletes and that was really important for me at my first World Cup, so I think it’s amazing for them"
“The main thing for me is enjoying it and doing well with my teammates. Enjoy being here in Mexico with hopefully a lot of Mexicans who come to see us - I want to do my best for them.
‘Paulo is a Great Figure’
President of Aquatics Mexico, Fernando Platas, spoke to Delgado’s character and how he is the product of many years of domestic investment into the sport.
“It’s been amazing how we’ve grown open water here, it’s been a project for our country.
“It develops new competitions, clubs, and coaches, and those efforts have come to a reality with Paulo and his performances at the top level.
“He has an amazing personality and, like Daniel Delgadillo, is very involved with the new kids.
“Some athletes are born to be like this - very mature no matter their age. They know what they want and that’s something to admire from Paulo because he’s very clear on what he’s trying to achieve.
“He goes into the water and his mentality changes; he likes to compete. He knows the responsibility of being an athlete and he’s a great figure in our sport.”