María José Quiroga will represent Argentina in the Para-cycling World Championship in Canada.
Adapted sport, so often postponed to Argentina, nevertheless has several world-class references. What Silvio Velo did with Los Murciélagos or the extraordinary career of little Wolf Fernández in wheelchair tennis are some examples and there are also reasons to be excited about the future Maria José Quirogathe blind cyclist who currently ranks 1st in the UCI ranking (International Cycling Union) of the women’s track in tandem with his guide, Micaela Barroso.
Born in San Juan, the land of Argentine cycling par excellence, Beautiful he has had to pedal uphill since he came into the world. Sismesina, to her visual disability was added the death of a little sister and her mother, when she was still very young, and the abandonment of her father.
He grew up in a very humble home, together with his brothers, aunt and grandmother, but he never gave up despite adversity and found in sport a tool to develop his full potential.
María José Quiroga, the blind cyclist who ranks first in the UCI ranking together with her guide, Micaela Barroso.
“I think disability is a cruel thing, because there are many things that can be a limitation. However, it is also a challenge that life makes us face day by day, and always get the best of ourselves, learn to overcome adversity and always be firm and confident in everything “, says Majo in a chat with Clarioneas he prepares to reconfirm his successes at the para-cycling World Cup in Canada, from 4 to 7 August.
-What does it mean to represent the country with the national team?
-Representing Argentina is the most beautiful thing in the world. Feeling the shirt on your skin, the pride and satisfaction of wearing these colors is something that cannot be explained in words. That our flag can be seen in the top positions is magnificent and motivates me much more to go and face these competitions.
-How does it feel to be at the top of the rankings?
-We now occupy the top spot in the UCI rankings, which for us is incredible because it motivates and excites us to keep dreaming and working for a World Cup or Paralympics medal. We are making history.
-Have you ever dreamed of this moment?
-I never thought I could realize this beautiful career that I am having as a cyclist, it is more than you can dream of and this dream is only at the beginning. It’s nice to just imagine everything that lies ahead.
Micaela Barroso (left) and María José Quiroga (right) train for the upcoming challenges.
Majo runs in the tandem category of the adapted cyclingconsists of a two-seater bicycle with a sighted cyclist leading the way. Her partner is Micaela Barroso, with whom he has formed a solid duo since they coincided in Power of womenthe most important women’s cycling team in the country.
With almost no competition in Argentina, they sweep the continent and are now also among the best in the world, both on the road and on the track.
“It is surprising in less than three years to be at the top of a world track classification, without as many competitions as there are in Europe and despite everything we are, it is a revolution”, describes Martín. Pampas Ferrari, coach of the para-cycling team, who was fundamental for Majo to devote himself definitively to this sport.
“He was able to face adversity in life and the same thing happens on the bike, he reaches all the goals he sets and aims for more. In a country that does not have a great development or visibility in adapted sport, he inspires me as one of his coaches to have more commitment every day “, he adds.
“When I run with Majo, it motivates me to see the improvement of both of us, to combine our virtues and work on our flaws. Communication is very important ”, explains Mica Barroso, guide and eyes of the Peke on the bike
María José Quiroga has never been easy. His recipe: resilience and work to move forward.
He defines his partner as “resilient, adventurous and wonderful”, and reflects: “Before I thought cycling was primarily individual and today I realize that it is not. The first place in the UCI world rankings required years of training and many people, not only on top of the bike, but also at the bottom. Within the Paralympic movement we are all a great team “.
-Inside the Power of women Are you another, Majo?
-It is pure satisfaction to belong to this consecrated team because there are the best cyclists and most of them have international footage. It was a very important step in my career because I am dedicating myself as a cyclist, but I also feel that the team is not looking at my disability, but rather at the skills I can have on the bike.
Does the mentality of the adapted athlete have to be even stronger?
-Before having a disability, we are people and, as happens to any person, there are fears and insecurities. Never think that you can’t or wonder if you can, because those thoughts of doubt come true.
-What would you say to young people who dream of being able to develop in sport?
-That they do everything they want to do, that nothing and nobody stops them, that there are no limitations but overruns, that there are no, but that ‘I will do it because I can and I always want to prevail. That obstacles are not a frustration, but rather a reason to look to the side and move forward. To never give up.
Source: Clarin