Montemorelos University Alumnus Prepares Olympic Athletes for Paris 2024

Franklin Córdova, a graduate of the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation program at Montemorelos University (Class of 2022), does what he loves. “Getting into high-performance sports rehabilitation was what motivated me to study this profession,” Córdova said. For months, he has been preparing high-performance athletes who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Two of those elite athletes are Uziel Muńoz, a two-time Pan-American Games shot put medalist (silver in 2023, bronze in 2019), 2019 World University Games bronze medalist and 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games champion; and hammer throw athlete Diego del Real, a two-time Olympian, both from Monterrey, Mexico.

Córdova is committed to improving performance and preventing injuries for Muñoz, del Real, and many others. He decided to specialize in physical therapy due to his passion for sports, with a particular focus on high performance.

While attending Montemorelos, he did his required year of social service at the Sportsmed Clinic in Monterrey, known for its experience with high-performance athletes. It was there that he was hired as a part-time employee three months after starting. This marked the beginning of his professional career.

“At the clinic I met many high-performance athletes who valued my work, which opened the doors to collaborate directly with them,” Córdova said. During his two years at Sportsmed, he said, he not only acquired advanced technical skills but also established key contacts that allowed him to join the circle of elite trainers.

Godly Witness to Athletes

Beyond his role as a physical therapist, Córdova highlights what he sees as important: the need to integrate faith into his professional practice. “I consider that there is no single setting for preaching the gospel, and on many occasions, I have had to do missionary work in this area,” he said. “Many times, athletes need hope, extra strength that they do not get in any other way but in God.”

Córdova has had the opportunity to see how communion with God can positively impact athletes, helping them feel more secure and at peace, which in turn improves both their psychological and physical performance.

Physical therapy in high-performance sports plays an essential role not only in injury recovery but also in optimizing athletic performance and preventing musculoskeletal problems, in addition to significantly reducing the risk of injury and improving physical functionality, Córdova said. “What I like most about sports rehabilitation are the protocols and methods that are used to rehabilitate these people who need to always give 100 percent, because they are based on healthy movements and movement patterns, and are applicable to [the] bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments or joints.”

In addition to running his own independent practice, Córdova is currently pursuing a specialty in sports rehabilitation. His continuous training and practical experience allow him to apply a comprehensive approach to the health of his patients, considering both rehabilitation and prevention. “I have understood that, as physical therapists, we should call ourselves movement specialists. This science of movement is what we must integrate into each athlete so that they can do better what they already know how to do,” Córdova said.

The science of human movement is a field that combines knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology, and is essential for the design of training and rehabilitation programs that maximize performance and minimize the risk of injury. Sports physical therapists like Córdova work closely with other health and sports professionals, such as doctors, trainers, and nutritionists, to create a multidisciplinary approach that addresses all the needs of athletes, he explained.

“The preparation I had at school was what gave me the foundation to go into this new area,” he said. “I hope to always be able to have good clinical judgment and be able to provide the best rehabilitation to each patient.” Córdova is determined to continue to dedicate himself to sports and high-performance physical therapy as long as God allows. He wants to help athletes of all levels to reach their maximum potential while sharing spiritual guidance with them. “This is a scenario where we need to, and should, talk about God more often,” he said.

Olympic final results show Muñoz placed eighth on August 3. A day earlier, del Real placed 22nd.

For now, Córdova waits to hear about Muñoz and del Real’s Olympic experience when they get back home.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.