Interview: Fátima Centeno – El Salvador

Name: Fàtima Beatriz Centeno

City / Country: San Salvador, El Salvador.

Birth Date: 22/08/1996.

Specialty: Singles and doubles.

1. At what age did you start in Badminton and how did you get into this sport?

“I started playing at 8 years old, in El Salvador. The National Institute of Sport did summer classes and I played basketball, one day, there was no basketball and I tried Badminton and I loved it.”

  1. In how many tournaments did you participate and which have been your best results?

“I think I have participated in 20 tournaments and my best result was to be the Central American champion and go to the Pan American Games in Toronto.”

3. To how many countries has Badminton taken you?

“Badminton has taken me to 7 or 8 countries.”

4. Which anecdotes come to your mind when you remember your trips?

“Have missed the flights.”

5. Which are your short and medium term objectives as a Badminton player?

“Improve my technique and be in the top 5 of America.”

6.  Do you perform other activities in parallel too your career as an athlete such as studies or work?

“I have one year to finish school, then I will go to University.”

7. How sacrificed is it to train and study at the same time?

It is complicated because I don`t have much time to rest after school and be able to do homework, then, after training I do homework and go sleep late.”

8. How do you keep commitment and discipline in your life?

“Be organized, be honest and be humble.”

 

  1. Apart from sporting satisfactions, what other things did Badminton give you?

“It gave me friends, travels, meet countries and different cultures and the opportunity to represent my country.”

10. Which are your favorite hobbies?

“Listen to music like pop and rock and sometimes I write.”

11. Who was your first coach?

“Renè Madrid.”

12. Which club do you represent?

“I represent the Salvadoran Federation of Badminton.”

13. Is Badminton popular in your country? 

“It is not, but in 4 years we have become more popular.”

14. Have you ever played in the Junior Pan Am Championships?

“I participated but … I did not do very well.”