Guadalajara’s Nataly Michel, 25, has become the first Mexican to qualify for a fencing foil event at an Olympic Games.

Michel, who took up the sport at the age of ten, says her goal is to reach the final 16 of the women’s competition in Rio de Janeiro. 

Michel won bronze medals at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games, and became Mexican national champion at the age of 14.

A graduate in international business, Michel part owns a pizza restaurant in Ciudad Guzman together with her brother.  In a recent interview with a local sports magazine, she revealed her interest to develop businesses that focus on employing people with physical disabilities.

She lists her other favorite sports as volleyball, rugby and (American) football, supporting the New England Patriots since she was a child.