Alejandra Valencia, 19, has been part of the Mexican recurve team since 2011. She won two gold medals (team and individual) at the Pan American Games in 2011, and qualified for the World Cup Final in Paris last year. She is currently in Legnica in Poland shooting at the World University Championships. In English y Español (véase más abajo).
How do you keep calm just before you are going to shoot?
I breathe – and then I concentrate on what I am going to do. I just focus on my technique.
Do you have any particular warmups or rituals before going to the line?
No, I only do the normal sorts of warmups, and then I just get ready!
What would you do to raise archery’s profile for the public?
It would be good to have more broadcasting of the competitions, maybe give more exhibitions in places, things like that.
Is there a version of the sport that could attract new audiences?
Well, what is happening right now with the movies that are being released, recently there was that streak where almost all the movies had someone using a bow and arrow, that helped a lot for people to get to know archery – that is going to be the thing that helps people know the sport and get interested in it.
What is your favourite sport apart from archery and why?
I like all sports, really. I can’t choose anyone in particular. Sorry! :S
What is your greatest strength?
My greatest strength, maybe, would be that I am very calm when I am doing things, so I don’t panic easily.
What does an ordinary day in your life look like when you are preparing for a tournament?
I go to university in the mornings and train in the afternoons, although sometimes I train in the mornings before going to school. That’s it.
What is the best advice you have given to someone else?
Hmmm… I would say “train as if you were competing and compete as if you were training.”
Do you believe in luck?
Maybe.
What is your favourite country you have visited through archery?
Hmmm…. I think that Holland is nice. I like Amsterdam very much, I’ve only really been there for four hours, but it’s very calm, very clean and very beautiful.
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
A perfect Sunday would be to sleep late, peacefully, no homework, no worries, and being with my family in the afternoon.
Why do you keep doing it?
Why do I continue doing archery? I don’t know – perhaps because I get a lot of fun out of it, and I never get bored!
and lastly,
What are you drawing next? (Alejandra was drawing a new picture on her Facebook page every day)
LOL… well, that was a challenge to draw something new every 30 days, but I lost it! But I’m always drawing something, every day. I love to draw.
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¿Como mantienes la calma cuando vas a tirar?
Respiro y me concentro en lo que voy a hacer, me enfoco en mi técnica.
¿Haces algún calentamiento? Kabala? Ritual?
No, solo hago el calentamiento normal y despues me alisto para tirar.
¿Qué harías para dar a conocer a dar a conocer a más personas el perfil de un arquero?
Tal vez teniendo mas difusión en cada competencia, dar exhibiciones en lugares o cosas así.
¿Hay alguna versión o algo diferente del tiro con arco que tú crees que pueda atraer a un nuevo público?
Lo que orita esta funcionando son las peliculas que estan saliendo, hace poco hubo una racha donde casi todas las peliculas tenian a alguien que usaba un arco y una flecha, eso ayudo mucho a que la gente conociera este deporte y se interesara por el.
¿Cuál es tu deporte favorito aparte del tiro con arco y por qué?
Todos los deportes me gustan, no podria elegir uno en especial :S
¿Cuál es tu mayor fortaleza?
Mi mayor fortaleza sea, tal vez, que soy muy tranquila en cuestion de hacer las cosas, no entro en pánico fácilmente
¿Cómo es un día común en tu vida cuando te estás preparando para un torneo?
Voy a la escuela en las mañanas y entreno en las tardes, a veces entreno en la mañana antes de ir a la escuela
¿Cuál es el mejor consejo que has dado?
Hmm…. yo creo que seria el de ”entrena como si compitieras y compite como si entrenaras”.
¿Crees en la suerte?
Tal vez, si.
Cuéntanos como es un Domingo perfecto para tí.
Un domingo perfecto seria dormir tranquilamente hasta tarde, sin tareas, ni preocupaciones y poder estar con mi familia en la tarde
Cuál es tu país favorito, en el que hayas estado, para tiro con arco, y por qué?
hmm… yo creo que holanda, me gusto mucho amsterdam y aunque solo estuvimos 4 horas la ciudad estaba muy bonita y tranquila, ademas de limpia
¿Qué te mantiene practicando el tiro con arco?
que me mantiene tirando? no se, tal vez sea porque me divierte hacerlo y no me aburre
¿Cuál será su dibujo mañana?
Jajaja… pues eso era un reto de dibujos de 30 días pero lo he perdido, pero yo siempre estoy dibujando algo nuevo cada día. Me gusta dibujar.
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More on Alejandra:
Good piece by ESPN here (in English), with some background.
Video piece by ESPN here (en Español).
Special thanks to Teresa Colunga De La Vega.
Good Interview! My son was really inspired by this article and is practicing earnestly.