Conejito [Little Rabbit]. (Facebook profile, 14 Dec 2020)

Athlete

English, Spanish

Rodman Murga [national], GUA

His training was disrupted ahead of the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, due to a right knee injury. (epoca.gt, 18 Dec 2018; gimnasialatina.com, 23 Sep 2018)

He sustained an injury in his right ankle during the podium training session at the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, which affected his performance at the tournament. (Marca Claro YouTube channel, 12 May 2020; prensalibre.com, 25 Oct 2015)

He took up gymnastics in 2003 in Antigua, Guatemala.

He and his siblings discovered gymnastics while out on a walk. "Our eyes just shined. We said, 'Wow, that's amazing'. We entered the gymnasium and began playing there. The coach approached us and invited us to join them. We said we didn't have resources, but he talked to the manager and allowed us to go training."

He trains up to seven hours a day.

Winning gold in the floor exercise at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, ON, Canada, and finishing fifth in vault at the 2017 World Championships in Montreal, QC, Canada. (Marca Claro YouTube channel, 12 May 2020)

Coach Sergio Tejeda, sports official Patricia Dieguez, and his family. (publirutagt.com, 14 Jul 2017; deguate.com, 02 Dec 2014; lahora.gt, 02 Nov 2019; Marca Claro YouTube channel, 12 May 2020)

"Turn disadvantage into a blessing. The first step to achieving great things is to believe in oneself." (Twitter profile, 08 Sep 2017)

He was flag bearer for Guatemala at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. (lima2019.pe, 27 Jul 2019)

In 2018 he received a Peace Medal, the highest sporting award given by the Guatemalan Ministry of Culture and Sports. (radiotgw.gob.gt, 03 Jul 2018)

In 2017 he received the Order of the Legion of the city of Antigua in Guatemala. (federaciondegimnasiaguatemala.com, 09 Aug 2017)

In 2016 a sports centre and a street in Jocotenango, Guatemala, were named after him. (soy502.com, 28 Oct 2016)

FAMILY
He and his five siblings were brought up by just their mother, and he aims to use her inspiration to help young gymnasts in Guatemala. "It was a tough childhood. I admire the courage of my mother for everything she has done for us. I want to set an example by encouraging the new generations. It is important to change the mentality in my area, in the gymnastics community. I want to arouse ambition in them, make them believe and prove it with results. It is important to provide opportunities for children." (publirutagt.com, 14 Jul 2017; prensalibre.com, 14 Jul 2015)

BROTHER'S PROMISE
He considered quitting gymnastics in 2009 as he felt he was unable to keep pace with younger gymnasts. "At age 14 I was seeing eight-year-old kids performing more difficult things than me, with better basic training. I thought I was too old." However, following the death of his younger brother Jose Gabriel, he promised to continue competing in the sport. "I told him, 'Jose Gabriel, I promise you that I will become a world champion, no matter what'. From that day on I began training with all my strength." (lahora.gt, 02 Nov 2019)

PANDEMIC HELP
In 2020 he helped donate food and resources to those in need in Jocotenango, Guatemala, during the COVID-19 pandemic. "As a child I never had resources. You know that Guatemala is a very poor country, and the pandemic complicated things. Many people are without work, money and resources. For that reason I have given the example of helping people in my community, because I know and understand the needs. I lived that way. Now I have the opportunity to be able to give a little to my people and be an example, so that more athletes do the same and together we help the people who need help the most." (intlgymnast.com, 31 Jul 2020)

FUTURE PLANS
He aspires to serve in either a coaching or administrative role for the Guatemala Gymnastics Federation to help improve sport in the country. "That's a role that has to understand the needs of athletes and coaches to create a plan that change the situation in Guatemala. I would like to create a plan that may create more Jorge Vegas in 10 years. I would also like to have my own gymnastics club, to create world class gymnasts for Guatemala. There might be people that remember me as an athlete, but there might also be kids who remember me because of advise that I gave them, or the inspiration and motivation that I could have given. What better legacy might there be than sowing a seed for change or inspiring new generations to be better, better than me." (espndeportes.espn.com, 22 May 2020; historiasabiertas.com, 15 Sep 2019; lahora.gt, 02 Nov 2019)

DANCING ENTHUSIAST
He and his siblings created a break dancing group and have competed at Central American level. "My siblings began dancing around 2011 and I joined them later. Break dancing is a mix of dance with acrobatics and this part suits me well. After time practising we decided to form a group called '5010 Crew' with which we have taken part in national and Central American competitions. Break dance has also been a chance for my friends to find a way to move forward." (historiasabiertas.com, 15 Sep 2019)