Mexican figure skater Donovan Carrillo made history just by stepping onto the ice [7] at the 2022 Olympics. At age 22, Carrillo is the first figure skater to represent Mexico in the Olympics since 1992. After a strong short program [8] on Monday that included a quad lutz [9] and a triple axel [10], he became the first Mexican figure skater in history to qualify for an Olympic free skate with his score of 79.69. Two days later, Carrillo successfully completed his free skate [11] and turned in a score of 138.44.

One of Carrillo's goals in Beijing was to finish in the top 24, and after ending the competition in 22nd place, it looks like he can mark that one off his list — and write his name into the record books while he's at it. In the clip of his free skate routine, above, watch Carrillo spiral on the ice to "Bailar" by Mexican-American DJ Deorro [12].

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Carrillo, who was Mexico's flag bearer in the opening ceremony, has a story that is nothing short of incredible, too. He trains at an ice rink in a shopping mall, sometimes sharing the ice with 40 or 50 people while training, he said in an interview with the Olympic Channel [14]. It doesn't discourage him, though. "On the contrary," Carrillo says, "it motivates me to appreciate everything I have." Carrillo often integrates Mexican culture [15] into his routines and lists Javier Fernández, the 2018 Olympic bronze medalist from Spain, as one of his primary inspirations. "Like me, he comes from a country where winter sports are not common, but was able to become one of the best in the world." Watch a clip from Carrillo's historic Olympic debut below.

- Additional reporting by Angelica Wilson