The victory of Mexican Guillermo Perez in taekwondo at the Olympic Games of Beijing filled of joy on Wednesday his relatives and authorities from his hometown of the municipality of Uruapan in the town of Taretan in the state of Michoacan (west).

In the final of taekwondo, at the 58kg category, Perez faced Dominican Yulis Gabriel Mercedes and the tension grew when any of both was able to make the gold point and the combat was decided by the judges who declared Perez as winner.

Since Tuesday's night in Mexico friends and relatives of Perez gathered in the house of the Perez family in the municipality of Taretan in the state of Michoacan (west) to follow Perez performance by TV at the Olympics.

Perez' aunt Catalina Perez said that when he comes back from China they will give him a great reception "as he disserves it."

The mayor of Uruapan Antonio Gonzalez Rodriguez said that all the inhabitants of the place showed their joy for the triumph of Perez at the 58kg category.

Gonzalez said that the municipality founded 50 percent of Perez' parents to Beijing, so he would not be alone and could feel the support of all the inhabitants of Michoacan.

Catalina said that tens of people followed with nervousness, tension and anxiety the four combats that made Perez win the 11th gold medal in the Mexican Olympic history.

"We watched TV all night and it was worth. We are all very happy for him, because he worked very hard to win the medal," Catalina said.

When knowing the victory, Perez' grandmother said that "Thanks to the Lord, because truly he was the one who helped him, I prayed a lot for help and I don't have words for this great victory of the grandson and I wait for him here with open arms."

Perez' cousin Flor Perez said that it was not a surprise that Perez won the medal because the family was sure of Perez' capacity and the training he had for the Olympics.

Flor said that a group of relatives will go to Mexico City to welcome Perez.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2008)