Portugal’s Pedro Pablo Pichardo was “deeply grateful” for his return to Lisbon after being crowned double European indoor triple jump champion in Istanbul on Friday.
“I have never regretted being here. I am very happy here, very grateful to the country and the people for the affection, the messages, everything. I am very happy” recognized the triple jump national record holder, who just bettered his record at the ‘indoor’ European Istanbul2023 with a jump of 17.60 meters that led him to victory and became the highest Portuguese record in the discipline.
A few minutes after landing at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, Pedro Pablo Pichardo did not hide his pride for yet another achievement.
“I am very happy, it is a great emotion to be European indoor champion twice. The goal now is to take five days of rest and reach the summer and keep winning. We have the World Cup, in Budapest, also the Diamond League, and we are focused on winning and also on making good jumps” planned the sweater.
Pedro Pablo Pichardo has reconfirmed the European indoor track title – he still holds the European outdoor scepter and also holds the European, World and Olympic titles. However, no specific distinction is made between the performances.
“For me, all medals have a different value, they are all important, they all have a very great meaning. The most important thing is first of all to be healthy and to be able to train well, the rest, to always add victories and medals to take.” and titles home. For me it is always important,” emphasized the athlete, born in Cuba and naturalized Portuguese since 2017.
Due to the results already achieved, Pichardo thinks only of the ultimate future goal: the world record.
“In my head I don’t focus on that, I try to keep both feet on the ground and do my job. The rest will come out in competitions.” The world record, I’m going to try, now that I have all the titles I have to try this record, that’s the only thing missing”certain.
Smiling, Pedro Pablo Pichardo emphasized the merit of his coach and father, Jorge Pichardo, who accompanied him: “I am very happy, it is a great emotion to be European indoor champion twice. The secret of success is a lot of training, a lot of work We have to ask the ‘sir’ [o seu treinador e pai], he says the medals are his. We are good friends, I am very grateful to have a father like him, I think without him I would not have achieved what I have achieved today”.
At his side, happy with the performance of his son and student, Jorge Pichardo, responsible for training and managing the career of the Portuguese national triple jump record holder, did not let the question abate.
“I’m proud, but I’m not happy, because our goal is to break all triple jump records. We won, but the medal is mine,” he said between laughter, setting the triple jump world record, whose goal is 18.29 meters and which since 1995 belonged to the British Jonathan Edwards.
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Source: DN
