Maurren Maggi of Brazil (© Getty Images)
year old long jumper Maurren Maggi is the best Brazilian athlete on the IAAF circuit. A new entry in the IAAF Online Journals, she has accepted to share with us the build up towards her dream: the World Championships in Paris
“I have already won important titles in my career, I won gold at the Universiade in Beijing, China, at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia but what I really strive for is winning a medal at this year’s World Championships in Paris.
“I know that in order to step on the podium in Paris this summer and then next year in Athens, I will need to jump 7.00 metres and beyond regularly. I have already jumped 7.26m in 1999 and my best last year was 7.02 but I will need more consistency in my jumps.
“In order to make my dream come true, I have decided to change my training programme. I will spend the month of January in a training camp in the sophisticated health resort of Barequeçaba in the State of Sao Paulo. Together with my coach Nélio Moura we are working hard in order to be ready, not only for Paris but for the Indoor season as well. I want to compete in Europe in February and then take part in the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham.
“I must say that the people in my country treat me like a star. Recently, I have accompanied the President of the Brazilian Athletics Federation and Member of the IAAF Council, Roberto Gesta de Melo on his visit to the Brazilian Minister for Sport, Mr. Agnelo Queiroz. The aim of the visit was to request financial assistance for the Development programmes for Athletics within the country.
“Because of my profession and the heavy work load of my training, I am often separated from my boyfriend, Antonio Pizonia, a professional driver. I am proud to tell you that this year Antonio has been contracted by the Formula One Team of Jaguar. The people of my country and myself have a lot of hopes for his career. We would like him to become the new Ayrton Senna."
Talk to you soon
Maurren
