ESTHER BRIZ, 2000, SPAIN
Gold medal in the women's coxless double sculls at the 1st Rowing World Cup 2023 and bronze medal at the European Rowing Championships 2023.
Beach Sprint World Champion in the Mixed Double Scull in 2022 and 2021
What is the main trait of your character?
Resilience.
Has it influenced your sports career?
Very much so. There are difficult moments in the life of any athlete, indeed, their existence is crucial for growth. Adapting and coping in certain situations is what gives you the tools you need to grow. I have come across many moments where having this quality has given me a tremendous boost.
What virtue do you wish you had?
Temperance. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so black/white, 0/1, all/nothing.
Fun fact about you.
I've never broken a bone despite the many big falls I've had.
Do you have a motto for life?
Short stride, long look.
Your second favorite sport.
Athletics.
Three athletes you admire.
Emma Twigg, Saúl Craviotto, Anna Hall.
What is the sporting milestone you remember most?
When I won the Junior World Cup in 2017. It marked a before and after in both my sporting career and my life in general, and it had a myriad of incredible consequences.
How did you become a fan of your sport?
I did swimming for several years, as did my older brother. My brother switched to rowing and the following year I went to try it, and I loved it.
Who helped you the most to achieve your sports dream?
Alfonso Muniesa, my lifelong coach. He is the one who has seen me grow, who has always supported me as much as he could and who has brought me to where I am now.
Your greatest achievement?
I don't consider my greatest achievement to be any medal. My greatest achievement is inspiring other people to fight for their dreams.
And your worst failure?
There is no such thing as failure, only lessons to be learned.
What has the sport taught you for life?
To face any type of problem, conflict or injustice with tenacity and courage.
How would you like fans to remember you?
As someone who added to them as well, someone they wanted to have by their side.
What is the biggest challenge in your sport?
Winning an Olympic gold.
What is the most important aspect of any training?
Enjoy. If you don't enjoy what you do, you're doing something wrong.
Do you have any rituals or hobbies before a competition?
No
What role has your upbringing played in your sports career?
He has guided me on a good path that has led me to meet wonderful people.
And what role has sport played in your education?
Sports, especially when I was young, made me learn to manage my time very well, because I wanted to have time for everything I wanted to do. That has allowed me to organize myself very well in my life later on and to be efficient. In addition to that, I can deal with anything that may come my way, in any way.
A tip for the younger ones.
There is nothing extraordinary and worthwhile that can be achieved in a short period of time. Everything that is scarce, that is worthwhile, that has value takes time, patience, perseverance and risk. To achieve something extraordinary you have to deal with uncertainty. There is no sure path that will lead you to something extraordinary.