Juan Gracia

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJuan•Gracia Zazueta
Used nameJuan•Gracia
Born18 April 1901 in Quiriego, Sonora (MEX)
Died13 October 1981 in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora (MEX)
NOC Mexico
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Juan Gracia Zazueta made his polo début at the age of 20 for the Presidential team. Over the next 20 years he played for seven more teams. A major in the Military, Gracia was a 6-goal handicap player and was number one in the Mexican team that won the 1936 Olympic bronze medal. In 1941, he played in the first international match between the United States and Mexico for the 1941 General Manuel Avila Camacho Cup at Mexico City, which was won by the US three games to none.

Gracia represented Mexico in the 2nd Central American and Caribbean Games at Havana in 1930, competed at the 1934 Copa Presidente Rodríguez, and toured Argentina in 1942 with the Mexican national team. In addition to polo, Gracia was an excellent competitive pistol shooter and for his achievements was decorated with the medal for sporting merit.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Polo MEX Juan Gracia
Polo, Men (Olympic) Mexico 3 Bronze

Errata

DOB changed to 18 April 1901. However an entry in the Bacum, Sonora birth book, recorded in 1912, says he was born 18 April 1908 but that year does not correlate with dates on which he played polo for various teams and it seems to be an error.