My son made me proud
Moment of the Year by Horacio Reis
Four years ago, the Pan American Games were held on home soil, in Rio de Janeiro. Fernando Reis was just 17 and participated in an experiment to become a real athlete. Well, we knew that to continue we have to change everything, namely the trainer and the system of trainings. We had a completely different way to run.
It was a crucial moment in our lives, a real challenge. We lived every day as prepared to battle. Then Fernando went to train with Luis Fernando Lopez in Ecuador for 40 days, at an altitude of 2,700 meters. They worked hard seven hours per day. After this intense period, Fernando had his trainings in Chile. It was a tough year.
In 2010 Fernando began his studies at the University in the USA. He participated in his first South American Games in Medellin (Colombia) getting a silver medal. This medal reinforced that we were on the right track. The results began to appear and Fernando collected bronze medal at the Junior World Championship in Sofia (Bulgaria). A World Championships medal for Brazil, neither in soccer or judo, nor in volleyball or swimming but in weightlifting!
At the National College Championships and American Open Fernando performed very well, winning them all. The next task of 2011 was a really big challenge: Pan American Games, in Guadalajara (Mexico). Fernando locked the enrollment at the university in order to devote himself to hard preparation in Brazil for a period of six months with an intense training.
Embarked on a mission to Guadalajara, hardest of our lives, bringing a medal for Brazil.
Fernando competed as never before. He was almost perfect. It was gold.
As team leader and Fernando’s father I was so proud of his devotion and achievement as he could reach this level. No doubt this was the most memorable moment of 2011, for me.
HORACIO REIS
Diretor do Depto.de Lev. de Peso do ECP
Vice-Presidente da Conf. Brasileira
Send your Most Memorable Moment of 2011 to Dezso Dobor, IWF Media Officer (dezso.dobor@nulliwfnet.net) or the IWF Secretariat in order to be published!
