A pioneer in the success of diving for Mexico in international competition, Capilla received on November 20, 2009 the National Sports Award from Mexican President Felipe Calderon, as a recognition of his extraordinary career.
Jesus Mena, Chairman of the FINA Technical Diving Committee and bronze medallist for his country at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, considered that the loss of Capilla “closed one glorious page in the history of diving in Mexico”.
The President of the Mexican Olympic Committee, Olympic swimming champion in 1968 Felipe Munoz, considered: “He was a person that inspired many of us and was the one that started the successful Mexican tradition in diving”.
Joaquin Capilla (MEX)