Lap to victory: Cathedral swimmer overcomes adversity to find success in the pool

Click here for updates on this story

    EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Gabriel Delgado’s love for swimming started at an early age.

As a baby, his family would put him on a floaty and push him around in the pool.

Now at 14-years-old, Delgado is one of the best swimmers in El Paso.

A freshman at Cathedral High School, Delgado is part of the school’s swim team, but he’s had to overcome challenges both in and out of the pool.

Delgado has osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder that causes his bones to be extremely fragile and break easily.

He’s had numerous surgeries throughout his life, and his mobility is limited.

Delgado uses a wheelchair, but being in the pool provides an escape and also freedom.

“I rely a lot on my arms, so it’s pretty easy,” Delgado said. “My legs didn’t hurt as much (being in the pool). It was easier for me to move, I was fast.”

Thursday on ABC-7 at 10, sports director Adrian Ochoa shares Delgado’s story.

From his accomplishments in the pool to how he’s embraced the obstacles in front of him, and the help he’s had along the way.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.