On International Women’s Day 2025, the theme of accelerating action finds its embodiment in Nikte Alejandra Sotomayor.
A pioneer on and off court, she has redefined what it means to lead with purpose, breaking barriers for women in sport and carving out opportunities for future generations, BWF states, sharing her journey.
Sotomayor made history as the first Guatemalan female badminton player to compete in the Olympic Games, representing her country at Tokyo 2020.
Yet, her legacy extends far beyond her impressive athletic achievements, which include bronze medals at the 2019 Pan American Games and the 2021 Pan Am Championships.
Today, she is a powerful force driving systemic change, using her dual roles as an athlete and sports administrator to reshape the landscape for women in badminton.
Player to Pioneer
Transitioning from competitor to administrator, she quickly realised her experience was invaluable.
“Bringing my administration career along with my sporting career was essential to expand my knowledge,” she explains.
This dual perspective helped her identify projects where women’s participation could flourish, especially in rural areas where access to less mainstream sports like badminton is scarce.
By working directly with local communities, she has been instrumental in developing grassroots programmes, ensuring young girls are not just introduced to the sport but also empowered to envision a future within it.
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
For many Guatemalan women, systemic obstacles stand in the way of sports participation.
The 30-year-old points to socioeconomic disparity, lack of awareness, and entrenched gender roles as major challenges.
“In Guatemalan culture, gender roles play an important role; the trend is women stay at home to form a family and take care of their husband and children, so practicing sports is not essential,” she says.
In many households, a woman’s duty is still seen as tied to family care, leaving little room for personal aspirations.
The Olympian is determined to dismantle such barriers, advocating for equal opportunities, better training for educators and policies that support women’s dual aspirations as athletes and professionals.
Revolutionising Representation: Badminton in the Military
One of her most ambitious initiatives to accelerate change is integrating badminton into Guatemala’s military programme. Recognising the military as a space where discipline and structure could foster athletic growth, she saw an opportunity to promote gender equality from within.
“Since the introduction of women in this sector is relatively recent, even fewer practice badminton,” she says.
Her project not only brings the sport to a new demographic but also challenges longstanding gender norms, demonstrating that leadership and athleticism are not limited by gender.
The Power of Community and Education
Sotomayor believes sustainable change starts with education.
After attending the BWF/WAoS Administrator Workshop, she became even more passionate about empowering girls from childhood, promoting sports as a tool for personal and community development.
“Inclusion of women from childhood to practice sports, and empowerment in rural areas, are essential for creating long-term change,” she emphasises.
She works closely with governmental and non-governmental institutions to implement mass participation programmes, ensuring girls in remote areas can access equipment, training and mentorship.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, she dreams of a Guatemala where girls enter sports as easily as boys, with pathways that support both athletic and academic development.
“I’d like to see more participation of girls at an early age so that they have the appropriate process both athletically and academically to become professionals and high-performance athletes,” she shares.
She envisions more women in leadership roles, policy reforms ensuring equal pay and career opportunities, and a culture where female athletes are celebrated not just for their victories but for their resilience.
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