{Couples} competing in the identical Olympic sport usually are not unusual and could be fascinating to observe. These partnerships can supply distinctive advantages equivalent to mutual understanding, assist and motivation. However, it might probably additionally create some unusual moments when particular person celebrations are silenced for instance so as to not harm one another. After their double act in Tokyo, Ana Perez Field and Francisco Garrigos might not have ended up competing at Paris 2024, however in the course of the qualifying course of they walked aspect by aspect, by means of thick and skinny. Ana indulges us of their journey.
It was a troublesome scenario however Fran and I had been clear from the beginning that we had been going to assist one another. He has at all times been by my aspect even in probably the most troublesome moments and I’ve executed the whole lot potential to assist him and assist him in the whole lot he wanted. From the primary second we each instructed one another that if he received this medal it might be ours.
And now it’s…
On the day of the competitors Fran was very calm, he’s at all times like that and I had full confidence in him, though I admit that it was the day I used to be probably the most nervous ever. When he received the medal I broke down and began to cry, however as quickly as I used to be with him I stated to him “You may have executed it!” and he stated “No, we’ve got executed it!”. It was a really emotional day that we’ll always remember.
What had been probably the most troublesome sacrifices on this journey?
Nicely, there haven’t been many, Fran and I’ve tailored to one another fairly effectively, however we’ve got been in an extended distance relationship for a few years, wherein we tried to see one another as a lot as potential, however typically it was solely on weekends and holidays.
And on this final yr, though we’ve got lived collectively, maybe the most important sacrifice has been making an attempt to cover our feelings, Fran’s pleasure at sure occasions after I was unhappy or extra anxious, or then managing my disappointment at occasions in order to not spoil Fran’s completely happy moments.
What concerning the second if you each knew that you just wouldn’t be competing on the Paris Video games?
Nicely, he felt dangerous and was unhappy many occasions, we’ve got had troublesome occasions however we’ve got at all times recognized methods to discover the great aspect of the whole lot and assist one another. As we’ve got already stated, if I couldn’t be in these Olympic Video games preventing for a medal, Fran preventing and getting it might be like mine too. I feel that’s what has pushed us to proceed ahead all these months.
Are you planning one other rollercoaster trip in the direction of LA2028?
We haven’t determined something but, to start with a trip, to disconnect from this final intense yr and once we return we’ll determine our goals, though Fran has been excited about LA2028 since he acquired off the rostrum.
Managing a relationship whereas pursuing a profession, particularly in high-pressure fields like sport, requires cautious steadiness and communication. Ana and Fran are an important instance of how this may be executed, and thru all of the ups and downs they’ve caught collectively and celebrated one another. They display the potential for dwelling the values of judo collectively, each on and off the mat. Congratulations are so as, not only for one, however for 2.
Photographs: Ana Perez Field
Creator: Szandra Szogedi
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