Eyeing the podium: Laura Miccuci
By Helena Petry and Mariana Sá - inArtistic swimming entered Laura Miccuci's life very early. At age 7, the red-and-black fan began practicing the sport as a hobby. Things got serious when, five years later, she joined her first national team. From then on, the sport became her job, and Laura began competing professionally.
In 2017, at Flamengo, the swimmer fulfilled her dream of joining her older sister (Maria Eduarda) on the red-black team and the two have competed together ever since, both at the club and on the Brazilian National Team.
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.
Beginnings in artistic swimming
I started swimming in 2007, in Paraíba. I pursued the sport as a hobby, but I always wanted to and admired those who were part of the Brazilian National Team. At 12, when I joined my first national team, I began to consider the sport professionally.
Arrival at Flamengo
It was 2015. I had disagreements at my former club. It was a difficult time, as I no longer felt I fit in there, and at the same time, I didn't want to abandon the sport. Since I was a child, I've always been very close to Gabriela Regly (a Flamengo swimmer), and she was one of the reasons I chose Flamengo as my current club.
Most memorable moment at the club
My first competition with the Manto was the 2016 Brazilian Championship in João Pessoa, Paraíba.
Relationship with older sister
Since 2017, Duda and I have been part of the same team. I confess that this has always been a dream of mine. I'm very proud of her and admire all her achievements. I'm lucky to train alongside her and, together as a team, strive to achieve the same goals in sports.
Daily routine
These days, I train only in the mornings on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I train twice a day, morning and afternoon.
Biggest difficulty of being a high-performance athlete
Reconciling sport with studies and my personal life.
Main competitions and expectations
The main competitions this year are the World Aquatics Championships in South Korea and the Pan American Championships in Peru. We're training hard, with the bronze medal in mind. Regardless of the result, we want to swim well and achieve a good score.
Family structure
I live with my parents and my sister, who also does artistic swimming with me.
Hobbies
Go to the beach, hang out with friends, go hiking and travel.
Other modality
I follow football too.
Free time
I go to driving school, to the beach and take advantage of this time to hang out with family and friends.
Technical sheet
Name: Laura de Souza Miccuci
Age: 19 years
Height: 1,72 m
Place of Birth: Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ
Main achievements: South American champion in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018, junior champion in the duet at the UANA Pan-American Championships in 2018, Junior World Championships in Budapest in 2018.