Eyeing the podium: Isaquias Queiroz

By Mariana Sá and Helena Petry - in 21/06/2019 às 00:00

Isaquias Queiroz's name stands out wherever he appears. Winner of three Olympic medals in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, including two silvers and one bronze, the canoeist knows like few others what it's like to reach the pinnacle of one's career by stepping onto the stage of the world's greatest Olympic sports competition. Already experienced and determined to honor the memory of former coach Jesús Morlán, who passed away last year, Isaquias chose to return to Flamengo to fulfill his mission of returning to the Olympic Games in 2020, aiming for nothing less than a podium finish once again.

The athlete's story began to intertwine with that of the Red-Black team nine years ago. Having played the sport since 2005 through a Federal Government project, he decided to land in Rio de Janeiro. He donned the Sacred Mantle and loved it. After winning gold at the 2011 Junior Canoeing World Championships, he stayed for two more years and then decided to leave to dedicate himself to the National Team. He grew, matured, and won. Last year, Isaquias decided to return and experience the Gávea club again in another phase of his life.

In the series "Eye on the Podium," Flamengo's official website tells the stories of some of the club's and Brazil's top athletes, covering their personal lives, careers, and, of course, their favorite. Learn more about those who make Flamengo and Brazil's Olympic sports stronger.

The professional beginning

I started in 2005 in Ubaitaba, Bahia, through the Federal Government's Segundo Tempo project. The idea was to spend the first semester of high school and the second semester playing any sport. Besides canoeing and a few other activities, I also had soccer, which was my initial choice. Like all Brazilians, I love soccer. However, I never got around to playing. When I went to school to write my choice on my sheet, I asked the teacher to switch to canoeing. That sport was very popular there in the city, and everyone knew about it. So I started.

About two months later, I participated in a Bahian Championship and finished fourth. A while later, I finished first, and that's when I realized I had a talent for the sport. As with any athlete, it's very difficult to make a living from it. I even gave up canoeing, returned, gave up again, and returned again. I started to really focus and decided to become a professional in 2009, when I joined the national team. In 2010, their headquarters moved to Rio de Janeiro, and I changed clubs, landing at Flamengo, where I stayed until 2013.

Flamengo in the life of Isaquias

This is where my professional career truly began. In 2011, I was also a Junior World Champion with the Manto Sagrado. After that, I never returned to Bahia or left the Brazilian National Team. I believe my peak is now. Returning to Flamengo was very positive, and the timing was excellent. I spoke extensively with the management, and now it's more structured, with more people focused on Olympic sports. That really caught my attention. Being able to return and see this huge support for me is very special.

Remarkable moment

The Junior World Championship wearing those colors was very special. I was 17, and winning a medal like that, especially representing Flamengo, was incredible. Every athlete always dreams of playing for a big club. Doing so at that age was incredible.

Routine

I start training Monday through Saturday, with a few days off in the afternoon. I wake up at 7:30 a.m., have breakfast, and head to training. It's about an hour and a half in the water, about 1 km in the morning, sometimes with gym time, running, or even volleyball for a change of sports. I return after lunch for another training session. My entire life these days revolves around sports and training. That's what gets me results, because I dedicate myself completely.

Difficulties of being a high-performance athlete

Sometimes, especially in less well-known sports, the biggest challenge is getting sponsorship. Fortunately, canoeing is gaining more attention in the press, and people are talking about it more. Thank God, I've always had great supporters, especially the Olympic Committee, which was one of the entities that catapulted my career. They brought Jesús Morlán (former coach) into my life, which was a big reason I got to where I am. The Confederation and the Ministry of Sports also have personal sponsors. I also have personal sponsors. Flamengo came to help me and keep me calm during training. They're always checking in with me to see how things are going, and they've provided medical professionals for complete support. I have no complaints; I have a great team that helps me maintain high performance.

Main competitions of 2019

I recently competed in two World Cups, which served to assess my performance against my competitors. My performance was good, as I won two gold medals in four events. Now I'm thinking about the Pan American Games in Lima, an important tournament for Brazil's visibility. Brazilians love it when we win medals in these competitions. The most important one will be the World Cup, held in August, which is worth an Olympic spot. We're very focused on having a chance to go to Tokyo.

Preparation and the goal of honoring Jesús Morlán

Preparing for the Pan American Games will be difficult because it's so close to the World Championships. Even so, it's a special tournament. We'll arrive almost on the day the competition starts and then return immediately to continue training. The Olympics are the most important event in an athlete's career, and we're working day after day with that in mind. For me, it will be even more important because if I win these medals again—I have a goal of winning five Olympic medals in my career—I'll be able to stand alongside great athletes in Brazil's history. Besides, Jesús (Morlán) wanted to reach ten in the Olympic Games. So this will be a goal to honor him.

Family

My son drives me crazy sometimes, but he brings me so much joy and is very messy. My wife brings me so much comfort and happiness. She watches the test videos and points out things I can do to improve, always talking to us. I love my family and am very happy. I still have a total of ten siblings.

Sports idol and tribute

I'm a huge fan of Sebastian Brendel from Germany. He's my great rival, and I admire his rowing style, as he's always respected his opponents. My son is named after him. There are many in Brazilian sports, and I have a few in soccer too. Brazil is full of stars. I met some artistic gymnasts, for example, when I was at Flamengo a few years ago, so I always root for these people I've known all my life. That's really cool for me.

What do you do in your free time?

More rest, because high-performance sports are very tiring. If you want to reach the top, you have to dedicate yourself 24/XNUMX. In your free time, you need to relax too. When I'm in Bahia, feeling more relaxed, I like to go to the beach and unwind. I really enjoy video games, especially soccer. In Lagoa Santa, I still play a lot of beach volleyball; I count the hours until I go. Sometimes I still play soccer with friends. I like being involved in various sports.

Another sport besides canoeing?

Football. I'm always watching the games. If I had the gift, I'd like to be a player.

Technical sheet

Name: Isaquias Queiroz dos Santos

Age: 25 years

Place of Birth: Ubaitaba, Bahia

Main achievements: Two silver medals and one bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, four gold medals and three bronze medals at the Canoe Sprint World Championships, two gold medals and one silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games.