It was easy to be expected, and we had no doubt.
The prize for best sportswomen of the year (Premio National del Deporte) in Mexico was awarded to Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez.
The revelation of the year 2016 women's walk was crowned with this award in a season to remember which saw herself as the true great opponent of Liu Hong.
Let us briefly recall this season.
Rome, May 7, 2016: "Lupita" (that is her nickname) Gonzalez set a new personal best in 1:26:17, arriving at the Stadio delle Terme only 18" behind Liu Hong.
July 28, 2016, this second place will turn into victory, for the brief suspension of Liu Hong ("Gugu", the nickname given her by Italian walkers in her training in Saluzzo) following the "higenamine" affair.
Obviously the personal best of Lupita Gonzalez is also the Area record (North America Central America and Caribbean) on the 20km road walk.
Rio de Janeiro, August 19, 2016: 15:58:37, time of Rio, in a day when the temperature reaches 25° C and the humidity level on the arrival is close to 80°, Lupita Gonzalez became the first athlete Mexico to win a medal in the women's 20km walk.
The medal is silver, and Lupita is still preceded by Gugu, but this time the gap was reduced to just 2", after the exciting final race that left China and Mexico with bated breath. The last round of 2km was covered by Liu Hong in 8:11, that of Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez 8:13.
A thrilling finish, second only to that in the fight for silver in Edmonton 2001 between the Italian Elisabetta Perrone and Russian Natalya Fedoskina (later disqualified) on which final decision was by the photo finish.
Now this award for Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez framing a memorable season for her.
The award also carries an excellent financial award (about US $ 38,600) and the recognizement from the President of the Republic of Mexico.
Lupita and Gugu a side by side duel