Jazmín Araceli Quiñonez

Paraguayan Sprinter | 100m Specialist | National Record Holder

Jazmín Araceli Quiñonez is an emerging sprint talent from Paraguay who represents the next generation of South American track and field athletes. Competing in the 100 metres and relay events, Quiñonez has established herself as one of Paraguay’s fastest women and a key member of her nation’s sprint program on the international stage.

Athletic Achievements

National Record Holder

Paraguayan U20 National Record – 4x100m Relay

• Time: 49.33 seconds
• Location: Bogotá, Colombia
• Date: May 19, 2023
• Competition: South American U20 Athletics Championships

Quiñonez was part of the historic Paraguayan relay team that set a new national U20 record at the 45th South American U20 Athletics Championships held in Bogotá’s El Salitre Stadium. This achievement marked a significant milestone for Paraguayan women’s sprinting, as the team competed against strong regional rivals including powerhouse nations Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Personal Bests & Performance Standards

Quiñonez has demonstrated consistent speed and competitive ability in her primary event:

• 100 Metres: 12.84 seconds (July 9, 2022) – wind-assisted
• 100 Metres: 12.92 seconds (July 30, 2022) – legal conditions
• 4x100m Relay: 49.33 seconds (May 19, 2023) – Paraguayan U20 National Record

Her legal personal best of 12.92 seconds represents a strong performance standard for South American youth athletics, placing her among the competitive tier of regional sprinters in her age category.

International Competition Experience

South American U20 Championships (Bogotá 2023)

• Competed in the 100 metres individual event
• Key member of the 4x100m relay team that set the national U20 record
• Represented Paraguay against 12 other nations including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia

The South American U20 Championships provided Quiñonez with valuable experience competing at altitude (Bogotá sits at 2,650 meters above sea level) and facing some of the continent’s best young sprinters. The championship, which featured over 400 athletes from across South America, served as a crucial development opportunity for the young Paraguayan.

Competitive Range

Quiñonez specializes in sprint events:

• 100 Metres (primary individual event)
• 4×100 Metres Relay

Development as an Athlete

Youth Athletics

Born on May 12, 2006, Quiñonez represents a new generation of Paraguayan track and field athletes working to elevate the nation’s profile in sprint events. Paraguay has historically been underrepresented in international sprint competitions, making Quiñonez’s emergence and development particularly significant for the country’s athletics program.

Training & Preparation

As a member of the Paraguayan national athletics program, Quiñonez trains under the auspices of the Federación Paraguaya de Atletismo (FPA), Paraguay’s national athletics federation. Her development comes at a time when Paraguay is investing in youth athletics and working to build competitive programs that can contend with the region’s traditional track and field powers.

The technical demands of sprint racing—explosive starts, acceleration mechanics, maximum velocity maintenance, and racing strategy—require dedicated coaching and consistent training. Quiñonez’s progression and her contribution to the national relay record demonstrate her commitment to mastering these fundamental sprint skills.

International Exposure

Competing at the South American U20 Championships in Bogotá provided Quiñonez with critical international experience. The championship brought together the best young athletes from across South America, including:

• Brazil: The defending champions and perennial powerhouse, led by talents like Renan Gallina
• Colombia: The host nation with a large 86-athlete delegation
• Venezuela: Featuring world-ranked talents in various events
• Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay: Traditional South American athletics competitors

Racing against such high-level competition accelerates development and provides valuable experience that cannot be replicated in domestic competition alone.

Representing Paraguay

National Pride

Quiñonez carries the flag for Paraguayan women’s sprinting on the international stage, representing a nation with a rich sporting tradition but limited history in track and field sprint events. Paraguay is better known historically for sports like football, where the nation claimed silver at the 2004 Olympics, making Quiñonez’s work to elevate athletics particularly important.

Breaking Barriers

As part of the relay team that set a new Paraguayan U20 national record, Quiñonez helped break through previous performance barriers and establish new standards for future generations of Paraguayan sprinters. The record of 49.33 seconds represents not just a fast time, but a benchmark that future relay teams will aim to surpass.

Role Model & Ambassador

As a young athlete competing internationally, Quiñonez serves as a role model for aspiring sprinters in Paraguay, demonstrating that with dedication and proper support, Paraguayan athletes can compete at the South American level. Her performances help raise the profile of women’s track and field in her home country.

The Path Forward

Youth Development

At 18 years old (as of 2024), Quiñonez is still in the early stages of her athletic career with significant room for development. Sprint athletes often don’t reach their peak performance until their mid-20s, meaning Quiñonez has several years of potential improvement ahead of her.

The technical refinements, strength development, and competitive experience gained over the next few years will be crucial to her continued progression. Her experience at the U20 level provides a solid foundation upon which to build her senior career.

Future Competitions

As Quiñonez continues to develop, she will have opportunities to compete at:

• Senior South American Championships: The next level of regional competition
• Pan American Games: The premier multi-sport event for the Americas
• World Athletics Championships: The pinnacle of track and field competition
• Olympic Games: The ultimate goal for any track and field athlete

Success at each level requires continued improvement in times, racing strategy, and the ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stages.

Building Paraguay’s Sprint Legacy

Quiñonez is part of a crucial generation working to establish Paraguay as a competitive nation in sprint events. Every national record, every strong performance at international championships, and every bit of international experience gained contributes to building a sustainable program that can produce competitive sprinters for years to come.

Athletic Identity

The Sprinter’s Mindset

Sprint racing demands a unique combination of physical and mental attributes. The 100 metres—often called the glamour event of track and field—is a pure test of speed, power, and technique. Success requires:

• Explosive power: The ability to generate maximum force in minimal time
• Technical precision: Perfect execution of start mechanics, acceleration patterns, and sprinting form
• Mental toughness: The confidence to compete against faster, more experienced athletes
• Competitive fire: The desire to push through discomfort and compete at maximum intensity

Quiñonez’s willingness to compete at the international level at a young age demonstrates the competitive mindset essential for success in sprint events.

Relay Racing

Relay racing adds additional complexity beyond individual sprinting. The 4x100m relay requires:

• Perfect handoff timing and technique
• Trust between teammates
• The ability to perform under pressure as part of a team
• Strategic positioning and running order decisions

The national record set by Quiñonez and her teammates demonstrates their ability to execute clean handoffs and work cohesively as a unit—skills that will serve them well as they continue to compete together.

Current Status

Quiñonez is registered with World Athletics (athlete code: 14994645) and continues to represent Paraguay in international competition. As she transitions from youth to senior competition, she carries with her the experience gained from competing against South America’s best young sprinters and the confidence that comes from being part of a national record-setting performance.

Her journey represents the ongoing development of Paraguayan athletics and the emergence of a new generation willing to compete on the international stage. With continued training, competition experience, and support from Paraguay’s athletics federation, Quiñonez has the potential to further elevate her nation’s standing in South American sprinting.

Legacy in Progress

While still early in her career, Jazmín Quiñonez is already making her mark in Paraguayan athletics history. As a national record holder and international competitor, she is helping to write a new chapter for women’s sprinting in Paraguay—one that future generations will build upon.

Her story is one of emerging talent, national pride, and the pursuit of excellence in one of track and field’s most competitive and prestigious events. As she continues to develop and compete, Quiñonez represents hope for the future of Paraguayan sprinting and the potential for the nation to make its mark on the South American and world stages.

Jazmín Araceli Quiñonez stands at the forefront of a new generation of Paraguayan sprinters, carrying her nation’s hopes in the 100 metres and relay events. With a national record already to her name and years of development ahead, her journey in international athletics is just beginning.

Go Jazmín!