Blanca Manchón

 

Getting to know Blanca Manchón a little more

Blanca Manchón is one of the most outstanding professional windsurfers in our country.

Sevillana, from the Triana neighborhood and born on March 6, 1987 Manchón has been surrounded by the energy of the sea even before her birth; She, because she comes from a family of sailors and lovers of the sea. Her father and brother were even coaches of the athlete during her childhood and helped her reach the top, where she continues to be today.

Blanca has a very broad track record and it has been growing since she was 12 years old. Among the athlete's most outstanding awards, it should be noted that she has been, to date, six times world champion in windsurfing and in 2010 she was awarded the award for best Sailor in the World. In addition, he was awarded the National Sports Award in 2005.

The windsurfer is now preparing for the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2022 , in which she sees it possible to win a medal. This will be the second time that the athlete competes in the Olympics; She made her debut at the age of 17 at the Athens Games in 2004.

Although Manchón's career seems to be filled with triumphs and medals, he has also had to deal with professional obstacles that have been unfairly placed in his way. The windsurfer, when she became pregnant of her son Noah, she lost the support of all her sponsors, who considered that Blanca's career was over and did not trust her potential or her projections for the future. The athlete returned to compete - and win - eleven weeks after giving birth. The sponsors began to take an interest in her again and to support her in her new stage.

Blanca Manchón received us remotely, from her house in Seville, to answer some questions that we wanted to ask her. Smiling and close at all times, Blanca answered all our curiosities one by one.

Blanca Manchón with <tc>ULLER</tc>

TIF: What's the first thing you do when you wake up?

BM: See where my child is, if he is at home. if he's already up... if not... and take care of him and start with my daily routine.

TIF: If you weren't a professional windsurfer, what profession would you do?

BM: Something related to sports, fashion, design, something related to travel, that whole world freaks me out.

TIF: What character or idol inspires you?

BM: Well... this question... the truth is that I always think about it and there is no one in particular, but rather there are several people who throughout my life have inspired me for one thing or another, they have transmitted good roll and I liked how they are in certain aspects of their life. I have taken a bit of that perfect person, who, in reality, I believe does not exist; but it has taken pieces of people who have made me grow as a person and have helped me to be what I want to be.

TIF: Do you have any custom or ritual before starting a competition or at the end of it?

BM: I always have to wear something pink, be it in my clothes or in my hair. I have to wear something pink somewhere. On the other hand, I have to wear the ponytail or the bow very tight, I usually wear a bow, so that not a single hair falls out.

TIF: What would you say is your favorite moment in your entire professional career?

BM: Without a doubt, my favorite moment was when I became Absolute World Champion. My coach at that time was wrong about the points and thought that I had finished second, and until they went to interview me in the water and congratulated me on being world champion, I did not realize that I had really won and not another, so imagine the situation of happiness that I had.

Blanca Manchón - Bandera España

TIF: If you could choose to live in another country, what would it be?

BM: I would like to live either in the United States or in Australia, but Andalusia wastes a lot… the land wastes a lot (laughs)

TIF: If you could learn to do another sport, which would you choose?

BM: This is difficult... I think maybe gymnastics or something that involves a lot of technique; Yeah, I'd like that.

TIF: When you're not training or competing, how do you like to spend time and relax?

BM: Doing normal things at normal times and at normal hours... I like going to the movies, shopping, traveling for pleasure without any kind of stress... Being calm in a pool or on a beach without any pressure, although normally I'm surrounded by that in my day to day work, I don't enjoy it as a normal person, so I think I like to spend time having normal schedules and doing things quietly, that's something I miss.

TIF: What makes you feel free?

BM: The weather. Having time for myself, dedicating it to what I want and knowing that I don't have any kind of commitment. Knowing that time is mine, that I manage it however I want. That makes me feel free and calm.

The little time we spent with Blanca was special and very pleasant, we hope she continues breaking all the records she sets for herself. We will always remain faithful to the Olympic athlete who has broken all the barriers that have been placed before her and who has no intention of stopping.