Mexican diving success Paola Espinosa is something of a national hero after bringing home a bronze medal from Beijing in 2008. Currently preparing for the PanAm Games this year, the aquatic ace has her sights set on the 2012 Olympics, where she’s planning to steal the show…
How did it feel to win the medal in Beijing?
The bronze medal in the Beijing Olympic Games was a dream come true, something I had always dreamed of and that I’d been fighting to achieve for so long. They weren't my first Olympic Games, though, as I attended in 2004 so I knew what it meant to go and compete. But in Beijing, I wanted a medal and I accomplished that in the synchronised dives.
What is your ultimate sporting aspiration?
My dreams don’t stop there! After winning the gold medal in the 2009 World Championship, my dream today is to become an Olympic champion. I’ve always dreamed of that and I work at it every day to make this come true. If life doesn’t let me accomplish it, it will be because it wasn’t meant for me – because I always fight, work hard and dedicate my life to achieving this goal.
‘I really enjoy the feeling that you get before every dive, it’s a kind of nervous anticipation’
Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
My trainer Ma Jin, because she’s the best and we’ve got a really good chemistry. She brings immense experience not only in diving but also teaching us a lot of things. Ma Jin is interested in our wellbeing not only in the sport but also from a personal perspective; that we have a good life, harmony and discipline, and keep to our word. She is definitely my role model.
What’s the best thing about your sport, why do you love it?
I really enjoy the feeling that you get before every dive, it’s a kind of nervous anticipation. As it is a sport that relies on perfection, you always have the challenge to be perfect day after day. This is a challenge that motivates me to train and to be the number one. To dive from a 10m height is something exceptional that few people do and that’s something that I’ve learned to enjoy and value.
Are there any negatives – what risk of injury is there?
Diving is a sport that has many risks. In every jump you risk your life. There are always chances of having injuries; falling in the wrong way from a 10m height can injure your back. There is definitely an underlying risk for all divers and we have to concentrate and pay attention to our movements without any distraction.
Tell us about the PanAm games coming up later this year. How important is this event?
I have participated in the Pan-American games since 2003 and have won medals, but this year is more exciting because the event takes place in Guadalajara [ie Mexico]. It’s my opportunity to demonstrate that America has a lot of talent for this sport. In my category there will be great competition and it won’t be easy. Canada and the USA both have really talented divers and with only a few points’ difference in the scores it looks like it will be a promising event. I will have to defend my titles – I won gold in Rio for the platform, trampoline, 3m synchronised and silver in the 10m platform.
‘Diving is a sport that has many risks. In every jump you risk your life’
How demanding is your training regime?
My sport demands a lot of discipline because the only way to improve is by repeating the dives and making perfect each and every one of your moves. You also need a lot of physical training at the gym to work on your strength, and at the dry gym to work on specific exercises. Ma Jin has taught us a lot of discipline, which is the difference between good and bad results.
What’s a typical day like?
A day in my life starts at around 8am for an early breakfast, to kick-start things. From 9.30 to 11.30 I’m diving in the pool or the dry gym, then we continue with dives from one, three, five, seven-point-five and 10m, depending on what my trainer has planned. After I’m done with my routine by around 2pm, I get really hungry and, even though I’m tired, I stick to my routine. I eat my meal and then rest for a while to get my energy back and return to the gym from 4pm to 7.00. Most weeks I have double sessions except Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons. On Sundays I have time for myself.
You were national champion for nine years running, how do you stay motivated when you are already the best?
Well… with discipline, perseverance, having my feet on the ground, making my sport my priority, training and the experience from all these years have been the key for those hard times.
If you weren’t a diver, which other sport might you compete in?
I’ve done gymnastics, swimming and more… But it wasn’t until I got into diving that I realised this was my sport and that I wasn’t cut out for things like running – and swimming was boring for me even though my dad was a swimmer…
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