Name: Taymara Oropesa
Country: Cuba
Events: Singles and Mixed Doubles
How did you meet badminton?
“I started at 14, quite late for this sport. Before playing badminton I played field tennis. Then for the sun does not affect me, I changed for badminton. There it went quite well for me, I liked to practice badminton and here I am.”
When did you say: yes, I will dedicate myself to badminton?
“In Cuba there are sports initiation schools that start with children and young people, and if they reach a certain level they can go to a national team, in Havana. So I achieved good results and had the opportunity to go there. Since I was little I wanted to be in the national team and represent my country in all possible events.”
Which is your biggest dream?
“My dream is to qualify for an Olympic Games, it is the greater dream of every athlete.”
Which are your goals for this year?
“Now we are working the Mixed Doubles with Osleni Guerrero, to obtain a medal in the Pan American Games.”
What is the hardest part of being a high level athlete in Cuba?
“For me, the most complicated thing is to be away from the family. The athlete is always training and competing a lot. It’s a lot of sacrifice because high-performance sport is like that. You have to sacrifice a lot if you want to achieve a good result.”
Do you perform other activities in parallel to you career as a Badminton player, such as studies or work?
“Yes, I am studying a degree in physical culture.”
How sacrificed is it to train and study at the same time?
“For me it is easy to train and study at the same time because in Cuba, athletes have the privilege of being able to study even when we have competitions.”
Which do you prefer?
– Olympic Games or World Championships? “Olympic Games”
– Winter or Summer? “Winter”
– Sweet or salt? “Sweet”
– Badminton player? “Carolina Marin”
What message would you give to young people who are just starting to practice badminton?
“I would tell them to persevere, to fight with desire. May you always maintain that willingness to achieve what you want. It will be given little by little, it will not go out overnight, but if you put effort and dedication you will see that you will get it.”
Photo Credit: BPAC | Badminton Peru
