Practicing a sport teaches you different things that you can treasure for a lifetime. Valeria Rivero Modenesi, a Pan Am Games medalist, is a clear example of this. What badminton taught her has shaped her as a person and has allowed her to demonstrate this at different stages of her life. Now as a mother, she wants to continue influencing new generations through our sport.
“Each training session, victory, and defeat are chapters of a story that has made me who I am today and that serves me for a lifetime.”
Valeria is the badminton coordinator at the Regatas Lima Club in Peru and continues to represent her country in the Masters category. She was introduced to badminton at age 9, and her discipline and skills led her to excel, winning national titles from the junior categories and bronze medals at two Pan Am Games (Santo Domingo 2003 and Rio de Janeiro 2007).
“Sport has been a journey of challenges and learning. I started at age 9, and over time, it grew into a passion that taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of perseverance.”
In addition to the joy of competing in badminton and meeting diverse people from other countries, Valeria treasures the lifestyle that sports have fostered for her, highlighting the positive aspects and using them to help new generations enjoy the benefits of sports.
“Beyond all the benefits of experiencing other countries, other cultures, and the achievements in each of these competitions, badminton has shaped me, taught me discipline, perseverance, and self-control. Everything I’ve learned, which serves me well today, I like to be able to share with other generations and contribute my part to making the sport I love so much, and which I continue to play today, better. This way, I can help others have the best experience with badminton.”
Influenced by a sporty family, Valeria inherited the perseverance and resilience to excel in sports, giving her all and demonstrating it with the results she achieved. She continues to maintain these characteristics today, where in her role as a mother, businesswoman, sports leader, and masters athlete, she achieves a balance that allows her to continue excelling in our sport and enjoying her achievements.
“Being a woman in sports has its challenges. I would say it’s a little more difficult due to the various responsibilities you have at each stage. It’s challenging to excel and accomplish everything, but each achievement is much more satisfying.”
