Blanca Manchón is one of the most outstanding professional windsurfers in our country.
Born in Seville on March 6, 1987, Manchón has been surrounded by the energy of the sea even before she was born; she comes from a family of sailors and lovers of the sea. Her father and brother were even the athlete's trainers during her childhood and helped her reach the top, where she still is today.
Blanca has a very extensive list of achievements that has been growing since she was 12 years old. Among the most notable awards of the athlete, it should be noted that she has been, to date, six times world champion in windsurf and in 2010 he was awarded the prize for best sailor in the world. In addition, he was awarded the National Sports Award in 2005.
The windsurfer is now preparing for the Tokyo 2022 Olympic Games, in which she sees a medal possible. 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 full of triumphs and medals, he has also had to deal with professional obstacles that have been unfairly placed in his path. windsurfer, when she became pregnant with her son Noah, she lost the support of all her sponsors, who considered that Blanca's career was over and did not believe in her potential or her future prospects. The athlete returned to compete - and won - eleven weeks after giving birth. Sponsors began to take an interest in her again and to support her in her new stage.
Blanca Manchón welcomed us remotely from her home in Seville to answer some questions we were eager to ask her. Smiling and friendly at all times, Blanca answered all our questions one by one.
TIF: What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
BM: See where my child is, if he is at home... if he is already up... if not... and take care of him and then start with my daily routine.
TIF: If you weren't a professional windsurfer, what profession would you pursue?
BM: Something related to sports, fashion, design, something related to travel, I love that whole world.
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 there are several people who throughout my life have inspired me for one thing or another, they have transmitted good vibes to me and I have liked how they are in certain aspects of their life. I have taken a little 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 customs or rituals before starting or finishing a competition?
BM: I always have to wear something pink, whether it's in my clothes, in my hair... I have to wear something pink somewhere. On the other hand, I have to wear my ponytail or bun really tight, I usually wear a bun, so that not a single hair sticks out.
TIF: What would you say is your favorite moment in your entire professional career?
BM: Without a doubt, my favourite moment was when I won the World Championship. My coach at the time made a mistake in the points and thought I had come second, and it wasn't until they came to interview me in the water and congratulated me for having won the World Championship that I realised that I had actually won and not someone else, so you can imagine how happy I was.
TIF: If you could choose to live in another country, which one would it be?
BM: I would like to live either in the United States or in Australia, but Andalusia is very attractive… the land is very attractive (laughs)
TIF: If you could learn to play another sport, which would you choose?
BM: It's difficult… I think maybe gymnastics or something that involves a lot of technique; yes, I would like that.
TIF: When you are not training or competing, how do you like to spend your 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 I am normally surrounded by that in my day to day life because of my job, I don’t enjoy it like a normal person, so I think I like spending time having normal hours and doing things calmly, which is missed.
TIF: What makes you feel free?
BM: Time. 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 can manage it as I wish. That makes me feel free and calm.
The time we spent with Blanca was special and very enjoyable. We hope she continues to break 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 put in her way and who has no intention of stopping.
