My name is Gema Arquero and I’m from Madrid, Spain.

I started with artistic swimming at the age of 8, having previously practiced swimming since I was little. Few years later, at the age of 10, I entered in Real Canoe Swimming Club where I was able to start my first national competitions. Since I started with artistic swimming and thanks to my club, I have been taught the importance in teamwork and I believe is something I have very present in my day to day. At the age of 12, I was chosen to enter in the technification center of Madrid, where I have been able to train and learn from professional workers. Over the 6 years I have stayed there, I believe I have been able to improve widely in all the technical aspects based on my hard work and daily dedication.

After a lot of effort in the 2016-2017 season, I was able to enter the National Team (age under 16), were I competed in my first International Competition, the Comen Cup, in Portugal. I competed in figures, were I achieved the 19th place, and in the free team and free combination, we achieved the first place, ending up with two gold medals.

The next season, 2017-2018, I repeated my experience with the Under 16 National Team, and I participated in the Comen Cup, in Sevilla. That year, apart from getting two gold medals in the free team and combination, I was also able to obtain a third gold medal, participating in the free duet.

Once I was in the Junior category, in the 2018-2019 season, after a lot of hard work I joined the Junior National team. That year I participated in the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series in Kazan were I obtained a gold medal in the team free. I also participated in the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series in Barcelona were I won a bronze medal. Lastly for that season, I traveled to Prague to participate in the European Junior Championship were I obtained two bronze medals in the free team and the technical team, and the silver medal in the free combination.

In the 2019-2020 season, I was going to participate in the European and World Junior Championships with the National team, however due to Covid-19 all championships were cancelled and I wasn’t able to compete. Despite the situation I was still able to participate in national competitions and achieve individual goals I had.

This 2020-2021 season, I have participated in the Virtual FINA Artistic Swimming World Series of USA were I have obtained two gold medals with the Free Combination and Highlight routine. On the other hand, I obtained two silver and one gold medal participating in the Virtual FINA Artistic Swimming World Series of Canada, were I did the free team and duet, and the free combination routines. Finally, I travelled to Malta to participate in the European Junior Championship. This was my biggest competition were I was able to demonstrate all of my hard work throughout the years. I obtained 5 bronze medals, in the technical team, free team, technical duet and free duet. And 1 silver medal in the Highlight routine.

During the season I also compete in National Competitions, such as the one that happened from the 09/07/2021 till the 11/07/2021, were I was able to obtain gold medals in the technical duet, free duet and solo routines, and silver medals in the free and technical team and the Free combination routines.

As a swimmer I think I can stand out because of my technique which something that I have been working on all over the years. As well as, the way I have of seeing things in a team. I consider myself a very persistent person who works hard to achieve my goals.

Apart from artistic swimming, I have also done different activities such as basketball, gymnastics, chess and piano classes which I have had to leave aside due to my absolute dedication to artistic swimming. Since I was a child, I have been taught the importance of sport and I have always had it present, adding up all the sacrifice that the high-level competition requires with studying at the same time and giving it the same importance. Artistic Swimming is now a part of me.

I believe that taking part of a USA Artistic Swimming team is the next step I need in order to continue growing as an athlete, student and person. It is something I am willing to do and truly wish.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Thank you.