World-class swim coach takes helm at Thanyapura Aquatic Academy

PHUKET: Spaniard Miguel Lopez Alvarado took over as the head coach of the Aquatic Academy at Thanyapura Sports Hotel yesterday.

A former national swimming coach in Spain, Mr Alvarado has more than 20 years experience training able-bodied and disabled swimmers at the elite level.

“We’re very excited to welcome Miguel to the Thanyapura family,” said Thanyapura’s President and CEO Philipp Graf von Hardenberg. “Miguel’s expertise and coaching background make him one of the best swimming coaches in Asia. He is a huge addition to the world-class coaching staff that now call Thanyapura home.”

Mr Alvarado’s dossier of former charges includes three-time triathlon world champion and Olympic silver medalist Javier Gomez, one of the top swimmers in triathlon history.

Additionally, Mr Alvarado also coached three swimmers to Paralympic success. Pablo Cimadevila Alvarez, Sebastian Rodriguez and Pablo Saavedra Reinaldo all broke world records while training under Mr Alvarado.

More recently, Mr Alvarado coached London Olympics semi-finalist Beatriz Gomez Cortez