Five-time Pan Am champion Raul Anguiano, one of the pioneers of Para badminton in our region, announced his retirement from the sport but leaves us with a great legacy, inspiration and many memories.
On August 20, Guatemalan Raul Anguiano announced his retirement from Para badminton, in a ceremony in which he also presented the medals won during his sports career to his country’s sports museum.
“I’m retiring happy, very pleased and grateful to God. I’ve always liked this verse: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I don’t think anyone would have thought that I would play a sport like badminton at the level I did, and that I would have such a long career, with injuries of all kinds. But now I thank God very much for being able to retire without injuries,” Raul said during the ceremony.
Anguiano began his love for badminton in 1985, when he was taken by his parents to learn about our sport. Almost 40 years of his sporting career have passed in which Raul has competed in both badminton and Para badminton, reaping different achievements and learnings for his life and for his loved ones.
When he turned 28, he retired from playing conventional badminton, but that would not be the end of his sporting career. Two years later, he discovered Para badminton and began a new story full of triumphs and unique achievements, such as being the first Guatemalan medalist at the Parapan American Games (Lima 2019). He also led the World Ranking in his class on 3 occasions (2007, 2009, 2011) and managed to become a five-time Pan American champion.
“It wasn’t easy, but if it had been easy it wouldn’t have the same value.”
“I have been very fortunate to be able to represent Guatemala. I thank all of you, I could not have achieved anything alone.”
Raul was one of the first Para badminton athletes in the region, promoting our sport and spreading his love for it to other athletes. He encouraged many to get involved with Para badminton and his sporting results were not only with medals, but also with seeing the large number of Para badminton players that the region has today.
“I have seen many generations of badminton athletes pass by and they have all been important in my life and career. I want to say to everyone: thank you very much for having welcomed me as one of your own, for having forced me to give my best. I truly believe that everything happens in a perfect way and if I had not competed with conventional athletes since I was a child I would not have been able to achieve what I achieved. That helped me to improve myself. Seeing their achievements inspired me.”
Anguiano also served as an athlete representative to the Badminton World Federation, looking after our sport and the other para athletes, who, as they call themselves, are the Pan Am Para badminton family.
A sporting career full of hard work, effort and sacrifices that everyone around him recognises. Inspiration and legacy are words that define what Raul did for our sport.
Thank you for all that Raul and we wish you the best in this new chapter of your life.
