The Spanish athlete Ana Peleteiro has stated that she is in the «best shape» of her entire career thanks to living in «an absolute haven of peace,» affirming that «being mentally well» has helped her «be physically well.» She also warned that she is «going for it» at the European Indoor Athletics Championships, taking place in Apeldoorn (Netherlands) between March 6 and 9.
«I feel in the best shape of my entire career. Why not feel the same in two years? I train every day to the maximum, I believe I haven’t even reached my peak yet, not by a long shot. That’s what I’m focused on, continuing to work and mature. That maturity is what will really help me find that breakthrough,» she declared to the media after receiving from the company Mondo the marks of her competition from last summer in Paris, as a reminder of the Games.
In this regard, she emphasized that her emotional and sports stability is the key to her well-being. «I’m in my best shape because I’m in an absolute haven of peace. The mind is 80%, and being mentally well has helped me be physically well. Things with Benjamin -Compaoré, husband and coach- have gone very well, I knew we understood each other because we’re married, but when it comes to work, we’re flowing very well, I love him as a coach.»
«In Spain, we have a very good jumps coach, even for hurdles, and hopefully he will continue to excel and show what a great professional he is,» she said, inviting more athletes to join their training sessions. «I would love for other athletes to trust him as a coach and me as a partner to grow. We have the facilities, the food, and the environment,» stated the bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020.
On a different note, the Galician, the reigning European outdoor champion, assured that she does not feel pressured for the continental competition. «I don’t care about what people demand of me. I know what I work for, I set my goals and objectives. It’s true that right now the triple jump is not at its best, it’s a very aggressive event with a lot of impact, and after a few Games, there is usually a drop in performance,» she expressed.
«There are many factors that can affect that, but even if we don’t arrive with the best ranking in history, at the European and World Championships, people will jump; everyone goes crazy to fight for those medals, and I won’t be the first to settle. I have shown throughout my career that I am a persevering person, very hardworking, and that I fight until the last attempt, and that will continue to be the case. I’m already an old dog, and I won’t fall into that trap,» she continued.
Only three Spaniards have won two or more gold medals at a European Championship, and Peleteiro, after the gold medal in Rome 2024, could be the fourth. «I’m proud of my career, but I want more, and I believe I can give much more. I don’t focus too much on what I have already achieved; I want to continue building my resume and enjoying it. I want to go to championships and continue enjoying as I always do, that’s why I get up every day and go to training. If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t do it, it wouldn’t be worth it,» she said, affirming that she is «going for it.»
«I’M WORKING ON THE TECHNICAL PART TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND LONGEVITY»
On the other hand, the Ribeira native explained the changes she has made to her technique, using her left leg as the takeoff leg, after announcing three weeks ago that she had a knee injury. «We are progressing, we have been respecting the times of the injury and the treatments I have done with my doctors. Everything has always improved, I have never had a day where I took a step back. Benjamin has planned the season very well, not doing too much and sticking to what he considered prudent, respecting the times. It was a small stumble, but we have come out on top and today I am almost at 100%,» she emphasized.
«There is a quite visible change in the technique. I am trying to jump more horizontally and finally improve the technique, which has been a challenge for me for years. We are working a lot on the technical part to gain, above all, in health and longevity,» she analyzed.
Peleteiro, 29, also assured that she is working hard to have a long sports life. «It is true that in sports, today you are here and tomorrow you are not. Injuries are something that exists, you have to take very good care of yourself. Although I am an athlete who takes good care of myself and pays a lot of attention and listens a lot to my body, we never know what can happen in our lives. We have to enjoy life, and you never know when it will end, in sports too. Being at a European Championship or a World Championship is not something that happens every day, and so if I arrive with health, I want to enjoy it. It’s a long year, we have a World Championship in September. Benjamin is a planning genius, and I trust his judgment a lot,» she expressed.
In this regard, she is «very sure» that she will try to be at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. «I’m very reluctant to think about the Olympics, but I see beyond. I will arrive in Los Angeles at 33 years old, I don’t see the end of my career there. Before, living in Guadalajara or Madrid, I might reconsider it more, but now, being at home, if I have health and I still feel like it, why not? If no one comes to beat me, I will continue to annoy everyone,» she said with a laugh.
She also hopes to be at this year’s World Championships. «If we are in good health, we will be in China. I won’t miss an opportunity to go to a World Championship because we never know what’s in store for us, and we have to make the most of each day. Right now, I’m thinking about the European Championship, and next week, God willing, I’ll think about the World Championship,» she emphasized.
Finally, Peleteiro was pleased with the return of Venezuelan Yulimar Rojas, who will compete again this Sunday after her serious injury. «I spoke with her about two weeks ago, but when I talk to her, we don’t talk about sports. We talk as friends; she doesn’t like me to ask her about her recovery, she’s very introverted about that. We ask about the family and tell each other that we miss each other, nothing more than that,» she concluded.
FUENTE