Jose Luis Martin Gomez

Country: ESP
Honoree Type: Masters Water Polo

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 11 FINA/WORLD AQUATCIS MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (2004 – 2024): 1 gold,  1 silver, 3  bronze;  2017 WORLD MASTERS GAMES: 1 gold; 8 EUROPEAN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS (2005- 2024): 1 gold , 1 silver, 4 bronze; GERMAN MASTERS WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS: 7 gold (2011, (2012: 45+ & 50+), (2014: 45+ & 50+), 2017, 2018, 4 silver (2015: 40+ & 50+), 2019, 2023, 2 bronze (2016, 2024); MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS OF SPAIN: 1 silver, bronze (1997, 1998); AWARDS: 2011 MASTERS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR; 2015 EXTRAORDINARY MEDAL TO SPORTS MERIT; PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE OF THE SPAIN CUP: 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018. Jose Luis Martin Gomez began his water polo journey at thirteen, joining the ranks of G.D. Isla alongside the storied Real Canoe, Madrid’s oldest club. Isla, though small and unassuming, possessed an extraordinary spirit. It was a crucible of
friendship, fun, and sportsmanship, a team that, despite limited resources, ventured across the globe. The elder players mentored the young, forging values that would shape his life.

A wanderlust ignited, and he embarked on a two-year odyssey, hitchhiking through Europe, Asia, and Oceania. He sailed the Pacific, touching down in Peru after an epic voyage. Upon returning, he rejoined Isla, leading the team to the First Division, a remarkable feat for such a modest club. Yet, the team eventually disbanded.

Water polo remained an undeniable passion. In 1998, he joined the Real Canoe Masters team, but the club’s philosophy was different from his. While they focused solely on the men, he envisioned water polo as a catalyst for shared experiences, a platform for family and friends to bond. Gradually, he transformed this vision into reality.

Inspired by a tournament in Germany, Jose Luis conceived the Copa de España de Waterpolo Masters. The inaugural event in 2004 brought together teams from Spain, Germany, and Italy. The tournament grew exponentially, fueled by the unwavering dedication of the players and the supportive atmosphere created by their families and friends.

Their commitment extended beyond the pool. They organized extravagant events, from pirate ship adventures to Spanish country fiestas. The tournament became a celebration of life, as much as a sporting competition. This unique approach to water polo, along with his exceptional career earned him a place in the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame.

His teams have been champions, runners-up “and, it must be said, sometimes we have even finished in last place. But, always, we have had our families and friends by our side supporting us”. For the record, Jose Luis has attended 11 FINA/World Aquatics World Masters Championships for one gold, one silver and three bronzes; eight European Masters for one gold, one silver and four bronze; one World Masters Games for a gold medal; and he played in 13 German Masters competitions for seven gold, four
silvers and two bronzes.

Jose Luis has been the president of the Organizing Committee of the Spain Cup from 2003 until 2018 and has been awarded special prizes of the community of Madrid — 2011 Master Athlete of the Year and 2015 Extraordinary Medal of Sports Merit.

Jose Luis exemplifies what it means to be a masters athlete, both as an athlete and as an official who promotes the sport and shows what fun, competition and travel can do for us. For his home competition, the motto is: “Family, party and water polo.”

The information on this page was written the year of their induction