Francisco Guzmán

Francisco "Frank" Guzmán Ruiz (born 2 August 1978) is a Mexican-American shot putter.

Career Guzmán grew up as a Mexican-American, and was a multi-sport athlete at Schaumburg High School in Illinois. He competed collegiately for the DePaul Blue Demons track and field team in Chicago, Illinois. Mexican track coach Elbert Pratt saw Guzmán's talent and encouraged him to apply for the Mexican team at the 2003 Pan American Games. His selection for the team was controversial, as he had not represented Mexico internationally before and his selection would have bumped out one other Mexican shot putter. In order to qualify for the team per FMAA rules, Guzmán had to compete in at least one shot put competition in Mexico with at least three competitors. Despite a boycott organized by the Mexican shot putter left off the team, a competition meeting these requirements was set up by Pratt for Guzmán against two Mexican teenagers. Guzmán broke the Mexican record at that meet and finished 9th at the Pan American Games for Mexico with a throw of 17.39 m.

The highlight of Guzmán's career was a silver medal at the Central American and Caribbean Championships in 2003, with a throw of 17.82 meters. At the Ibero-American Championships, he finished 5th in 2004 with a throw of 17.90 meters.

In world-level competitions, Guzmán finished thirteenth at the 2003 Universiade, with a throw of 17.89 meters.

His personal best put is 19.73 meters, achieved on 5 June 2004.

Achievements