Twelve-time BMX World Champion Mariana Pajon collected two gold medals at the recent South American Games. We caught up with the 18-year-old Colombian to ask her 10 questions about her life, career and Olympic aspirations.
How do the South American Games golds compare to your other achievements?
These two gold medals are maybe not as important as a gold medal in a world championship, but the South American Games were held at my home track, so my family and friends had the opportunity to watch me racing, and this helped me a lot and made it more important than winning in another country.
Your family are big in motorsports. Have you ever been tempted to leave BMX behind and get on a motorbike or in a racing car?
Actually, I started BMX, go-karts and gymnastics at the same time and I liked them all so much, but when I won my first BMX world title, I quit karts and gymnastics to devote all my time just to BMX…
You started racing BMX aged just four. Most kids can barely balance on a bike at that age… how did you get into the sport?
When I was three, my dad taught me how to ride a bike – I learned in just one day. My dad and older brother used to race BMX, and my dad was so happy that he wanted me to race too. They took me to the track and I started racing.
You won your first world championship aged nine. Was it hard to balance your schoolwork and time with your friends with your junior career?
It was so hard to balance this, and it still is… when you go to a regular school with your friends wanting to go out and party, you have to know that you can’t do that. You have the responsibility of being an excellent athlete but also doing well in school, and with all the races and travelling, it’s not easy. You don’t have the life that a normal teenager has… sometimes you have to act as an adult.
'I will do my best to bring home an Olympic medal'
How was the Beijing Olympic Youth Camp in 2008?
It was an excellent and unique experience, it’s hard even to describe it… I had the opportunity to know what the Olympics are like and how athletes work so hard for it. It opened my eyes and helped me to realise that now [my career] is not a game any more.
With so many world championships already, are the Olympics in 2012 in London now your biggest goal?
Yes, they are. It’s my dream, and I will do my best to bring home an Olympic medal.
Where did your nickname of ‘Tata’ come from and what does it mean?
When I was born, my older brother didn’t know how to pronounce my name, so he just created that one for me. He said it was a cute nickname, so then everybody else started calling me Tata as well.
Have you ever had any bad crashes or accidents?
During my career, I’ve had a lot of crashes and accidents, and also a lot of broken bones and injuries… sometimes it’s difficult, but you have to get used to it, as it’s an extreme sport.
Do you have any parts on your bike designed and built especially to suit your style?
Well, my frame and some other parts are not as big as they could be… they had to build a special brake to fit my wheel because the frame was too small.
If you weren’t a BMX world champion, what would you want to do as a career instead?
I had always wanted to be a professional in go-karts and gymnastics, but I will also study hard to be an excellent doctor…
Keep up with the developments of Mariana’s burgeoning career at marianapajon.com
Comments
Add a comment