Category: Athlete Spotlight

Athlete Spotlight: Thiago Pereira

7/18/2015

Swim caps off to Brazil's Thiago Pereira, who became the all-time medal leader in Pan American Games history today, with his 23rd overall medal. With that last gold off of a prelim swim in the medley relay team that would end up in the final's first position, he passed Cuban gymnast Erick Lopez on the all-time list.

Pereira is an established swim star for Brazil, having competed in three Olympics and winning a silver in the 400 medley in 2012. In addition, he is the former world record holder in the 200 i.m. In Toronto at this year's Pan Am Games, he hauled in three golds, one silver, and one bronze to break the record. This, despite a shock disqualification in his favorite, the 400 i.m.

With Rio 2016 around the corner, he'll likely be one of the star faces for the home nation. And I imagine there's a great chance to see some more power races from him then. In the meantime, parabens, Thiago!

Athlete Spotlight: Javier Fernandez

3/29/2015

Bravo to Javier Fernandez, and to Spain, for his victory this weekend in the World Figure Skating Championships. His win brings Spain its first major global championship in the sport, and continues Fernandez's climb up the international ladder. With two European Championships, he was expected to challenge for a medal at Sochi 2014, but faltered with a fourth-place finish. But his career has solidified since, with a third European title this year, and now the world championship, where he beat Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) and Olympic bronze-medalist Denis Ten (KAZ).

This World Championship brings him three total Worlds medals, after two bronzes in 2013 and 2014. With a 14th place finish at the 2010 Olympics, and that fourth in 2014...could this be the road to first in 2018? As a Spanish aficionado, here's hoping. Vamos Javi!

Athlete Spotlight: Toller Cranston

1/26/2015

Thinking about Toller Cranston after the news of his death came over this past weekend. Cranston was a landmark figure skater, helping to drive the sport toward greater respect for artistry and creativity.

He won the Canadian national championship six straight years, and was a regular fixture at the top of international competition during his career. With his strength of artistry yet a weakness for technicality, he struggled to capture international titles in an era when compulsory figures maintained an integral part of scoring. But his creativity allowed him to be a crowd favorite, earning a standing ovation at the 1972 and 1974 Worlds despite third-place finishes.

I never saw him in competition, but I certainly know the name from watching skating specials from the 80's, long after his retirement. Apparently, he was also an accomplished artist off the ice as well - as in painting, creating over 70,000 pieces and even selling at least one for $40,000. A little fitting that he last resided in San Miguel de Allende, a destination known for artists and retirees with a bit of flamboyance. Toller Cranston - a legend of the sport. RIP

Athlete Spotlight: Sven Kramer

1/11/2015

Congrats to Sven Kramer! With today's win at the European All-Around Speed Skating Championships, he became the all-time winningest male title-holder of the event, with his seventh title as the best all-arounder in Europe.

His win was tough, though - yet cemented (again) the overall dominance of the Dutch team, as he came from behind in points into the last race of 10,000 meters to beat compatriot Koen Verweij. We'll see what happens later in the season, as Kramer will have six World All-Around championships going into that competition in March this year, in Calgary. To underscore the Dutch depth, Ireen Wust won the women's title, with Linda de Vries in third. Gefeliciteerd!

Athlete Spotlight: Alia Atkinson

12/8/2014

She sure has been around for a while - having competed at the Olympics in 2004, 2008, and 2012, but she just now may be receiving some hard-earned respect after Alia Atkinson won the breaststroke 100meter short course world championship over the weekend.

With this win, she became the first black woman to win a world or Olympic title in swimming. And that means something. As she says herself, "hopefully, my face will come out, there will be more popularity, especially in Jamaica and the Caribbean, and we'll see more of a rise, and hopefully in the future we will see a push."

And, oh, by the way, that's the first gold in swimming for Jamaica ever - for men or women - in Worlds' history. So, the era is ripe for a lot of kids to be inspired to look at swimming with renewed interest. I'm always a fan of winners from unexpected places, and getting under-represented regions more involved and integrated in sport. Atkinson has some staying power through at least 2016. Having finished just out of the medals in fourth at the same event in London 2012, she is on the right trend. And, at only 25 years, she should should have lots more opportunities to showcase herself and the sport. Here's hoping.

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Athlete Spotlight: Thiago Pereira

Athlete Spotlight: Javier Fernandez

Athlete Spotlight: Toller Cranston

Athlete Spotlight: Sven Kramer

Athlete Spotlight: Alia Atkinson

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