That’s right… her name was heard all over the continent. The Peruvian badminton player was chosen as the para athlete of the year by the Americas Paralympic Committee, after getting 45,77% of the votes in an online popular election.
However, this is not her only achievement. She was an ambassador in Lima 2019, her home country, where she also won a gold medal.
“I want to consolidate the medal in Santiago 2023”, she said. But there is more! Even though she has a packed schedule due to the endless training, trips, and competitions, the current continental, and world para badminton champion made some time to talk to us, analyze her achievements, the many moments she has had with sports and that she has been positioned as one of the bests of the continent.
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Pilar Jáuregui’s profile
Pilar is 34 years old, she was born in Peru, and she is recognized for having one of the greatest trajectories in the Parapan American sport.
With her wheelchair, the desire to succeed, and the joy of continuing to practice sport, she found a space of happiness where she not only represents a nation but also thousands of children, young people, and athletes that suffer from some kind of impairment and who, today, seek to achieve a title in their careers.
Know more about one of the representatives of this discipline who will be one of the figures on the podium of Santiago 2023, with the illusion of going to the next Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
How did you get into the Paralympic world?
The first time I saw the para sport was 11 years ago. My mom used to run marathons and I saw a boy running in a wheelchair. I could not walk much back then. She wanted to know where she could find a wheelchair so I could do sports. That’s how we met Marcelo Roca, a Peruvian athlete. He invited us to watch the disciplines, especially tennis. It is how I got to know the sport and they made a special chair for me. Then, I knew about other sports. In 2012, I traveled to Viña del Mar for my first Open. There, I had more information about the circuits, the champions, and the Parapran American Games among others.
What was your biggest achievement?
In Tokyo 2020 without a doubt. I got a gold medal. I competed against strong teams, with very important medalists in the discipline. It was very hard, I prepared a lot. I did not pass the round in the Paralympic Games and there I was able to show how much I had improved. It was my payback.
What does sport mean in your life?
Sports taught me to discover myself, to see the abilities I have. It showed me that nothing could stop me. It gave me that vision. I am grateful for this, I was able to prove to myself that I can. To believe in myself and my work, in the training, in all the effort I put. Sport has given me a lot, a lot of friendships. I can inspire other people. There are young people who want to take pictures with me and be better than me. That motivates me even more.
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What is your dream?
To start my own para sports academy. I want to have a space where we can spread the sport and more kids can find their discipline.
What is your next sports goal?
Be on the podium of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024. I know is going to be complicated. The race to the Games has already started. Is going to be a long year, with lots of tournaments, a lot of work, and concentration. I want to consolidate the medal in Santiago 2023.
How do you feel when you are recognized at a continental level?
Para badminton has grown a lot. It not only recognizes me but also all my teammates and other athletes of the Parapan American sport. I compete and do what I love.
How do you see Santiago 2023 and what do you expect from this event?
The truth is that we are preparing a lot, training to the fullest. I expect to consolidate the gold medal I won in Lima 2019. If possible, in doubles too. I know is going to be an important event where we will be able to show how much our level has improved. We are growing little by little and we want to transmit that.
SANTIAGO 2023 COMMUNICATIONS
