Camila Segura – Biography

Camila Segura is a Mexican sprinter from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, who has established herself as one of Mexico’s premier sprint talents. Known for her explosive speed and competitive spirit, Segura has risen from youth national champion to competing at the senior international level, representing Mexico with pride and determination while breaking barriers for athletes from her region.

Athletic Career & Accomplishments

Sprint Specializations

Camila Segura competes as a sprinter specializing in short-distance events:

Primary Events:

• 100 meters
• 200 meters
• 4×100 meters relay

Personal Bests & Current Performance

Individual Events:

• 100 meters: 11.74 seconds (May 8, 2025)
• 200 meters: 24.30 seconds (May 10, 2025)

Relay Events:

• 4×100 meters relay: 45.90 seconds (May 9, 2025)

World Rankings

As of 2025, Segura holds the following World Athletics rankings:

• #1023 in Women’s 100m
• #1216 in Women’s 200m

National Championships & Honors

National Champion: Camila Segura is a recognized national champion in Mexican athletics, having competed successfully at various levels of national competition throughout her career.

Competition Venues: Her recent personal bests were achieved at Ciudad Universitaria in Mexico City, one of Mexico’s premier athletics facilities, demonstrating her ability to perform at the highest level of national competition.

Early Career & Youth Success

Breaking Through as a Youth Champion

Camila Segura’s rise to prominence began at a remarkably young age, establishing herself as one of Mexico’s most promising sprint talents while still in secondary school.

2016 National Secondary School Championships (Mazatlán): At just 13 years old, competing as a second-year student at Colegio Tamaulipas, Segura captured national attention by winning the gold medal in the 100 meters at the Juegos Deportivos Nacionales Escolares de la Educación Básica (National School Sports Games) in Mazatlán, Sinaloa.

• Performance: 12.46 seconds in the 100m final
• Category: Secondary School division
• Significance: Became Mexico’s fastest secondary school female sprinter
• Nickname earned: “La Gacela Reynosense” (The Reynosa Gazelle) and “La Corredora más veloz de México” (Mexico’s Fastest Female Runner)

This victory was particularly dramatic, as Segura won both the preliminary heat and then, after a false start by another competitor nullified her first finals victory, came back to win again in the re-run—demonstrating remarkable composure and mental toughness for such a young athlete.

Early Athletic Development

Initial Start (2013): Segura began her athletics journey representing Instituto Colón in 75-meter races and relay events. Her natural speed was evident from the beginning, but it was when she joined Club de Atletismo Olvera at the Unidad Deportiva Solidaridad that her career truly transformed.

Training Under Carlos Olvera: Under the guidance of coach Carlos Olvera—Reynosa’s most successful athletics coach and winner of the Municipal Sports Prize as Reynosa’s Best Coach—Segura’s technique improved dramatically. She learned proper arm and leg coordination, improved her starting technique, and developed the technical foundation that would carry her to national success.

Coach Olvera’s program has produced multiple champions, and Segura became one of his most celebrated success stories, eventually earning attention from major universities including the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), whose Tigres athletics program recruited top talent from Club Atletismo Olvera.

Youth Competition Success

Throughout her teenage years, Segura continued to dominate in her age categories:

State Level:

• Multiple gold medals representing Tamaulipas at state championships
• Consistent victories in the 100m and 200m events across various age groups
• Category 14-15 years: Reclaimed her title as Tamaulipas’ fastest youth sprinter

Regional Level:

• Regional championships victories representing northern Mexico
• Qualification for national competitions through superior regional performances

National Level:

• Multiple appearances at National Youth Championships
• Recognition as one of Mexico’s premier youth sprint talents
• Progression through age-group categories while maintaining competitive excellence

Geographic & Cultural Context

Representing Reynosa & Tamaulipas

Camila Segura proudly represents Reynosa, Tamaulipas, a border city in northeastern Mexico that faces challenges but produces remarkable athletic talent. Her success has been particularly meaningful for her community.

Regional Pride: In her own words following her 2016 national championship: “Subir al pódium y dejar en alto el nombre de Tamaulipas es algo difícil de narrar, me llena de orgullo y es la recompensa por el trabajo realizado durante mucho tiempo” (Standing on the podium and raising high the name of Tamaulipas is something difficult to narrate, it fills me with pride and is the reward for the work done over a long time).

Challenging Perceptions: Segura has been vocal about changing negative perceptions of Reynosa, noting that many people doubted the city’s ability to produce championship-level athletes. Through her victories, she has demonstrated that talent knows no boundaries and that dedication and proper training can overcome regional stereotypes.

Training Facilities: Despite her success, Segura has competed while training on less-than-ideal facilities. The track at Unidad Deportiva Solidaridad where she trained was described as “maltratada” (worn out), yet she used these conditions to build mental toughness and determination. Her success despite these challenges makes her achievements even more remarkable.

Personal Background & Characteristics

Family Support

Parents: Brenda and Enrique Segura Behind Camila’s success stands unwavering family support. Her parents have made significant sacrifices to support her athletic career, including transportation to training sessions and competitions, and providing the resources necessary for her development.

In Camila’s words: “Este logro es de toda mi familia que en serio tiene que hacer muchos sacrificios para traerme a entrenar, mis Papas con su apoyo y entrega son parte de mi medalla de Oro” (This achievement belongs to my entire family who truly have to make many sacrifices to bring me to training, my parents with their support and dedication are part of my gold medal).

Siblings: Camila is the oldest of three siblings, taking on a role model position within her family and using her success to inspire her younger brothers and sisters.

Family Rewards: After her national championship victory, Camila’s father rewarded her dedication by giving her an iPhone—a gesture she proudly shared, demonstrating the family’s celebration of her hard work and achievement.

Personal Interests & Aspirations

Love of Speed: “Me encanta la velocidad porque a la hora de estar en la pista, cuando quiero pensar en algo, de repente ya estoy en la meta” (I love speed because when I’m on the track, when I want to think about something, suddenly I’m already at the finish line).

This quote captures Segura’s pure passion for sprinting—the way that running allows her mind to clear and her body to express its natural athleticism.

Athletic Inspiration: Segura is an admitted admirer of Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprint legend and world record holder. Like many young sprinters worldwide, she has been inspired by Bolt’s dominance, charisma, and revolutionary impact on the sport.

Animal Lover: Despite her wishes, Segura confesses she’s not allowed to have pets at home, though she loves animals—a small personal detail that humanizes the competitive champion.

Social Life & Friendships: Segura maintains close friendships and stays connected to her school community, though she carefully avoids naming specific friends publicly to ensure no one feels left out—a thoughtful gesture that shows her consideration for others.

Education & Career Aspirations

Academic Performance

Colegio Tamaulipas / Colegio Mexicano: While pursuing her athletic career, Segura has maintained strong academic performance, describing herself as a good student. The balance between training, competition, and academics requires exceptional time management and discipline.

Educational Goals

Preparatory School Ambitions: As a young teenager, Segura expressed her aspiration to earn a scholarship to attend the prestigious Tec de Monterrey (Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey) for her preparatory education—one of Mexico’s most renowned private universities.

University Career Goals: Segura has articulated a clear vision for her academic future: she wants to study nutrition with a specialization in sports nutrition. This goal perfectly aligns with her athletic career, demonstrating her understanding that elite athletics requires comprehensive knowledge of proper fueling, recovery, and performance optimization.

Her interest in sports nutrition shows:

• Strategic thinking about long-term career planning
• Understanding of the scientific foundations of athletic performance
• Desire to remain connected to the sports world beyond her competitive career
• Potential to help future generations of athletes through nutritional guidance

Career Vision

Athletic Goals: “Quiero seguir ganando a nivel nacional, quiero ir a más Olimpiadas, quiero representar a México” (I want to continue winning at the national level, I want to go to more Olympics, I want to represent Mexico).

At just 13 years old, Segura articulated ambitious but achievable goals:

• Continued national championship success
• Participation in Olympic competitions
• Representing Mexico on the international stage
• Using athletics as a platform to bring pride to her country and region

Long-term Perspective: “Quiero seguir en el atletismo” (I want to continue in athletics) – This simple statement reveals Segura’s commitment to the sport not just as a passing interest but as a long-term pursuit, potentially professionally and then through sports nutrition work.

Training Philosophy & Work Ethic

Dedication to the Sport

Training Commitment: “Son ya tres años en el atletismo y el cuerpo se acostumbra al ejercicio, si un día no lo hago, me siento extraña, además me afecta, no puedo dejar de entrenar porque una semana sin entrenar es perder mucho de lo que ya he ganado” (It’s been three years in athletics and the body gets used to exercise, if I don’t do it one day, I feel strange, it also affects me, I can’t stop training because a week without training means losing much of what I’ve already gained).

This quote, given when she was just 13, reveals:

• Mature understanding of athletic development and maintenance
• Physical dependence on regular training
• Awareness of the delicate balance required in high-level athletics
• Commitment to consistency over the long term

Mental Approach

Competition Mindset: Before her national championship race, Segura demonstrated mental toughness beyond her years. When told the defending champion would be competing, she responded with focus and determination: “me concentré, no voltee a ver a mis rivales” (I concentrated, I didn’t look at my rivals).

This tunnel-vision approach to competition—focusing on her own performance rather than her competitors—is a hallmark of elite athletes and was already present in Segura as a young teenager.

Nervousness as Motivation: Segura openly acknowledges feeling nervous before competitions, but channels that energy into performance rather than letting it become debilitating. Her ability to win decisive races when the pressure is highest demonstrates mental resilience.

Recovery & Nutrition

The “Chocolate Secret”: In a charming anecdote from her national championship, Segura credits chocolate with giving her energy before the final race. While told with youthful enthusiasm, this story also hints at her early interest in nutrition and performance—an interest that would later evolve into her career aspiration to study sports nutrition.

Community Impact & Advocacy

Advocating for Athletes

Even as a young teenager, Segura used her platform to advocate for better conditions for athletes in Tamaulipas and Mexico.

Meeting with Local Government: Following her national championship, Segura met with Reynosa Mayor José Elías Leal at the Gimnasio de Alto Rendimiento to discuss not just her achievements, but “las necesidades reales de nosotros los deportistas que en muchas ocasiones es un viacrucis competir y entrenar como se debe por la falta de apoyo” (the real needs of us athletes, as on many occasions it’s a struggle to compete and train properly due to lack of support).

Scholarship Challenges: Her coach, Carlos Olvera, highlighted a systemic problem: “desgraciadamente en Tamaulipas no se les da las Becas y apoyos que necesitan cuando crecen sus necesidades Académicas” (unfortunately in Tamaulipas they don’t give athletes the scholarships and support they need as their academic needs grow).

This ongoing challenge in Mexican sports—the lack of financial support for developing athletes—has affected Segura’s career trajectory and that of countless other talented young Mexican athletes.

Inspiring Youth Participation

Call to Action: “Quiero invitar a los niños y jóvenes que dejen un rato la televisión y vengan a la pista del Gimnasio de Alto Rendimiento Municipal a realizar ejercicio” (I want to invite children and young people to leave the television for a while and come to the track at the Municipal High Performance Gym to exercise).

Segura has actively encouraged young people in Reynosa to explore athletics and other sports available at local facilities, including track, gymnastics, boxing, volleyball, basketball, and swimming—serving as a role model and advocate for youth sports participation.

Continuing Excellence

As Camila Segura has progressed from youth champion to senior international competitor, she has continued to improve her personal bests and compete at higher levels. Her 2025 performances—11.74 in the 100m and 24.30 in the 200m—represent continued development and commitment to the sport.

Training Environment Evolution

While she began training on challenging facilities in Reynosa, Segura’s success has opened doors to better training environments, including connections with major university programs and potentially access to improved facilities as she has progressed in her career.

National Team Representation

As a national champion and ranked Mexican sprinter, Segura represents Mexico in international competitions, carrying forward her childhood dream of representing her country on the global stage.

Legacy & Impact

Breaking Barriers

Camila Segura’s story is particularly significant because she has:

• Achieved national success while training in challenging conditions
• Represented a region (northern Tamaulipas) often overlooked in Mexican athletics
• Demonstrated that with proper coaching, family support, and personal dedication, athletes from any background can reach the national level
• Maintained academic achievement alongside athletic excellence
• Used her platform to advocate for better support for young athletes

Role Model for Tamaulipas

For young athletes in Reynosa and throughout Tamaulipas, Segura represents proof that champions can come from anywhere. Her humble acknowledgment of her city’s challenges, combined with her determination to change perceptions through achievement, makes her an authentic and relatable role model.

Future Aspirations

As Camila Segura continues to develop as an athlete, pursue her education, and work toward her goal of studying sports nutrition, she remains committed to the values that brought her early success: hard work, family support, mental toughness, and pride in representing her community and country.

From the “Gacela Reynosense” who won Mexico’s secondary school national championship to a senior international sprinter representing Mexico at major competitions, Camila Segura’s journey continues—driven by the same love of speed, dedication to excellence, and determination to make her family, community, and country proud that launched her athletic career over a decade ago.

Camila Segura’s story exemplifies the power of talent, dedication, and opportunity combining to create sporting excellence—proving that with the right support, coaching, and personal commitment, athletes from any background can reach the highest levels of competition while maintaining their education, values, and connection to their roots.

Go Camila!