Anastasia-Alexandra Nenova interview with Mariana Esteves for Sports Star.
Who Is Mariana Esteves?
Mariana Estevez was born 2 April 1996 in Lisbon, Portugal. She is in the -57kg weight category in Judo. She won the bronze medal at the 2015 Junior World Championships in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She also won 7 European Cup medals. Mariana also captured the silver at the Dakar African Open 2022 and gold at the Yaoundé African Open 2022.
Tell us about yourself. Your name, age, where you’re from and which country you represent.
My name is Mariana Esteves, I’m 26 years old. I’m from Portugal and I represent Guinea-Conakry in International Judo competitions.
When and why did you start Judo?
I began practicing Judo at the age of 5 in my school. My older brother was already involved in the sport, and my mother encouraged me to give it a try as a means of gaining independence.
Can you describe your experience at your first international competition?
My first international competition took place in Spain when I was in my first year as a Cadet. I still remember the excitement of traveling there by bus and being surrounded by new faces: fellow national team members, international competitors, and coaches from different clubs. The whole experience was exhilarating, especially the energy and atmosphere. Winning the bronze medal was an added bonus and made the whole experience unforgettable.
Could you share how you’ve been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, both in your personal life and as a Judo athlete?
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected me both in my personal life and in Judo. At first, I was very focused on continuing to train and started training three times a day, doing all types of workouts. However, as time passed, I began to realize that something serious was happening.
When we returned to training, it wasn’t the same because many people in my club were afraid and chose to stop practicing Judo. At the same time, I was completing my Master’s degree in Physical Education Teaching.
Without any upcoming competitions and no chance of competing in the Olympic Games, I focused on my Master’s internship. Unfortunately, I had zero motivation to train, eat healthily, and rest properly. I fell into a negative cycle with bad habits.
In August 2021, I moved to Paris because I realized that it wasn’t yet the right time to give up on my competition judo gis. I restarted everything as a professional athlete: Judo training, physical training, healthy eating, and getting 9 hours of sleep every night. Most importantly, I rediscovered my passion for doing all of that.
You represented Portugal previously, and now you’re representing Guinea for the current Olympic cycle. Can you tell us more about that?
My mother was born in Africa, so representing Africa was always an option for me, and I am happy to do so because I learned the most important values from my grandparents’ life story – hard work.
However, I know that no federation is perfect, and I had some disagreements outside the mat. As a person who works towards achieving specific results, I had to meet certain standards and attend all the training camps to have access to some competitions. I met these standards but did not always get the opportunity to compete without a reasonable explanation.
When you work hard to pursue a dream, and you don’t get what you deserve, you only have three options: keep fighting against the system (which is not mentally healthy), stop Judo altogether, or move on and follow your goals. I chose the last option with Guinea.
You were formerly competing in the -52kg category and since last year you began competing in the -57kg category. What are the differences between both categories in terms of strength, speed, and techniques?
I moved to 57kg after the European Games 2019. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I didn’t have the opportunity to get used to the category.
In the 52kg category, my opponents were generally smaller and faster than in 57kg category. They tended to use more techniques on knees such as ippon seio nages.
In the 57kg category, my opponents are generally taller than those in 52kg, some are even taller than me, and they generally have more strength. I think there are two groups of athlete types: the tall ones who do more ashi-waza and koshi-waza with a high grip, and the smaller ones who do more te-waza with a classic grip. Of course, there are all types of athletes with other special techniques and grips as well.
Can you tell us about a memorable moment in your Judo career, and what made it stand out for you?
Choosing just one memorable moment is difficult because I have so many, but winning the bronze medal at the World Junior Championship in 2015 stands out.
That season was my best yet, but after finishing in 7th place at the European Championship, I was feeling discouraged. However, with the support of my coaches and a mental reset, I was able to bounce back. Despite struggling with injuries in the lead up to the competition, all of the hard work paid off when I won the bronze medal. Having my parents there to celebrate with me was the icing on the cake, as they’ve been there for me through both the highs and lows of my judo career.
What differences do you see between African Judo and European Judo in terms of training, facilities, and funding?
In my opinion, there are still significant differences between African Judo and European Judo. In Africa, there are cultural factors and lifestyle differences that can impact participation in sports, especially for women. The weather can also make it challenging to train in certain areas, and the infrastructure is often lacking.
On the other hand, in Europe, athletes may have more access to funding and sponsorship opportunities, which can make it easier to attend competitions and training camps.
That being said, regardless of the circumstances, it’s important for athletes to proactively pursue opportunities and work hard to achieve their goals.
What do you think can be improved in African Judo?
I believe that African Judo is headed in the right direction. The sport has been steadily improving over the years, with the IJF providing support for knowledge-sharing among national coaches. African athletes are known for their impressive physical abilities, but in my opinion, more attention needs to be given to mental training.
It’s important for athletes to learn how to manage social and self-pressure, as well as to remain focused on their goals even in the face of tough competition. Winning a gold medal is the ultimate goal, but it requires athletes to be ready to face equally determined opponents.
Can you give us some insight into your competition schedule for the next few months?
I have a tentative competition plan for the year, but I prefer to focus on shorter blocks of time as changes are possible. Currently, my goal is to participate in three more Grand Slams and one African Open before the World Championship.
My ultimate aim is to be among the top 36 so that I can participate in the Masters in August. I am constantly re-evaluating my schedule and making adjustments to ensure I am in the best position to achieve my goals.
How do you manage your nerves before a competition?
Competition nerves are a good sign to me because it means that the event is important. I listen to music that energizes me and lifts my mood, particularly funk or reggaeton with strong lyrics. To decompress, I like to chat with my friends about life or tell jokes. Laughter is the best way to ease my nerves!
How do you prepare for competition day? Walk us through your routine the day before and the day of the event.
To prepare for the competition day, I like to have a relaxing day before the event. I usually do a little exercise to shed the last few grams, then head to the supermarket to purchase the necessary food and drinks to help me recover after the weigh-in and during the competition. The remaining time is spent relaxing, either by watching Netflix or reading to conserve my energy.
On the day of the competition, my routine is slightly different depending on my circumstances. If I am alone in my room, I like to start the day with music. However, if I am with someone else, I usually opt to socialize and chat to keep myself relaxed. Additionally, the start time of my first fight also plays a role in how I plan my day.
When I arrive at the sports hall, I like to visualize the moment of fighting on the competition mats while listening to my music. During the preparation period, I close my eyes and visualize what I need to do to win. These are my rituals, and they help me stay focused and prepared for the upcoming fights.
In your free time, what activities do you enjoy doing when you’re not busy with training or competing?
I have a variety of interests outside of my athletic pursuits, such as meeting friends for a cup of coffee, diving into a good book, and exploring the city as a tourist. However, my favorite activity by far is watching the sunset without any distractions or time constraints. There’s something incredibly peaceful and rejuvenating about experiencing the beauty of nature in those quiet moments.
What are your plans for your career after you retire from competitive Judo, and how do you intend to stay involved with the sport?
I plan to always be involved in judo. I’m already a Judo coach, Judo referee, and a Physical Education teacher. My goal is to work in sports management and always be part of the competitive world of Judo. I don’t think I could stay away from the adrenaline of competitions.
What advice would you give to young athletes who want to pursue a career in Judo?
My advice would be to always believe in yourself and never give up. Judo is a sport that requires a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice, but the rewards are amazing. Set goals for yourself, work hard towards them, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks or failures. Surround yourself with people who support you and who will help you to become a better athlete and a better person.
Remember that success is not just about winning medals, but also about learning and growing as a person. Finally, enjoy the journey and have fun, because that’s what it’s all about!
Interview by Anastasia-Alexandra Nenova
