El Paso swimmer qualifies for Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization’s World Championship

In a couple of weeks, a very talented El Paso swimmer with special needs will compete in an International competition.

Andres Hernandez has down syndrome and has been swimming since he was four years old. For the second time in his career, he’s qualified to swim in the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization’s World Championship.

In November, he’ll compete in seven different events including the 100-meter freestyle, butterfly and backstroke.

“It’s awesome to go and it’s good,” Andres Hernandez said.

Swimming is Andres’ passion.

“It’s awesome, swimming’s awesome,” Hernandez said.

For the past 14 years, Andres has dedicated his life to becoming the best. He’s been a part of area league teams, national and international teams. Andres follows a very strict routine, he practices for one hour in the morning, and two hours in the afternoon. A routine, his mother Marisela says, comes natural to him.

“The effort he gives to everything that he puts on everything encourages us,” Marisela Hernandez said.

Marisela says before he was born, doctors told the family their journey would be difficult. She says he struggles with his speech but like swimming, he doesn’t give up.

“In his future he’s going to do good, because he’s prepared,” Marisela Hernandez said.

Whatever the outcome of the championship may be, it’s clear that his determination to succeed makes him a winner.

“I’m going to make the best of the swimming, I got it,” Andres Hernandez said.

The world championship will take place November 12th, in Morelia, Mexico.