The judoka from Emeritus of the Judo Club Stabia, is one of the athletes sponsored by the Youth and Sport Foundation. We talked to her about her season and the training activities that she develops.
How did Cristina Cabaña’s judo stage go this summer?
Very good, the truth that has surprised me for good. Since despite the very tight calendar that I have had and the choice of the date in the middle of July in the middle of vacations, I have had a very good response in terms of participation. There have been almost the same registrations as last year and we are very satisfied because the people who have participated have also left very happy with the experience.
Does it cost a lot to start an activity of this type?
Yes, for me it is difficult and it costs a lot. I don’t live in Mérida right now, which is another handicap, but I have to say that I have a lot of support from my club, Judo Stabia, and from institutions such as the General Directorate of Sports, the Mérida City Council or the Fundación Jóvenes y Sport, who have turned to make this activity go ahead, as well as my colleagues and collaborators. I was only able to arrive three days before the start and everything was ready to go.
Being an elite athlete, what objectives do you seek with these social actions parallel to your competitive facet?
I have ever mentioned it. For me it is a way of giving back to Extremadura what he has given me. Now I don’t live here and I think I owe something to Extremadura judo and I try to repay it with this activity, in which people from our region who practice this sport can share experiences with judokas from other autonomous communities or even from other countries, with the aim of to promote sport in general and judo in particular.
Do you learn from the boys and girls who attend?
Of course. You always learn. Above all, of that illusion with which they come and that impulse that they give you when you see that with effort and perseverance things can be achieved. Boys and girls who came to the stage last year, this year I have already seen them win a medal in lower category championships.
Is there time for rest in the summer or is the tatami never out of sight?
This summer is going to be difficult, but after the Croatian Grand Prix on August 19 I will have a few days off, albeit few, since in September we will return to the charge to continue adding points with a view to achieving the goal of being in the Games Paris Olympics.
What balance do you make of the first half of the season?
There has been a bit of everything, very good competitions and others not so good, but I would value my first medal in a Grand Prix, which I got in January in Portugal, or the 5th place in the Grand Slam in Kazakhstan in June. The important thing is that, even if I don’t get a medal, I leave satisfied with the championship I’ve done, and I think I’ve achieved that in these months. But always looking ahead with the aim of improving.
What goals do you have for the remainder of the year?
Clearly achieving qualification for the Olympic Games. Between now and December, the Spanish Federation will continue to outline the athletes who will continue to compete from the end of the year to achieve that goal and those who will not, so the main thing now is to achieve good international results to get points and be well placed in the ranking. . In addition, we also have the European Championship, where I am going to try to obtain that medal that in 2022 I missed by very little with that 5th place.
What support do you have on this road to Paris?
Institutionally with the General Directorate of Sports of the Junta de Extremadura and the City Council of Mérida. Also, of course, the Youth and Sports Foundation, with its advertising sponsorship, that of the structure of my personal trainer Judo Kino and the Judo Club Stabia, who is always there to support me and provide me with everything I need. And also, of course, from my relatives, who always support me and encourage me to keep moving forward.
This year your club, Judo Stabia, opens as also sponsored by the FJyD, how do you value the social and institutional recognition that your sport has more and more?
It seems very positive to me. It is great to be able to share the sponsorship of the FJyD with Stabia, and I think it is deserved, since as a club we have been working for the promotion of sport for many years and promoting the name of Mérida and Extremadura at a national level with excellent sporting results. Financial support is necessary for clubs like ours to continue investing in sports, training and youth academy, so I think this sponsorship will be a great boost for the entity and for judo in Extremadura.
2023-08-09 07:56:02
#give #Extremadura #judo
