Eyeing the podium: Michel Pessanha
By Mariana Sá and Helena Petry - inWhen Michel Pessanha stops and tells his story, everyone should listen. Polio, also known as polio or infantile paralysis, appeared in his childhood and left his right leg damaged, but the condition didn't stop him. In 2013, he learned how rowing changed the life of Thayane Tavares, a survivor of the Tasso da Silveira School tragedy in Realengo, who became paraplegic. He wrote down the name of coach Franquilim Oliveira, the girl's coach, and knocked on Flamengo's door to ask for a chance.
There were two buses, a train, and a passion for the sport in his luggage. Michel left home every day before dawn, made the long journey from Duque de Caxias to Gávea, and entered the water to train. Then he returned to start his second shift, working as a mechanic. And so it was until 2015, when he decided to dedicate himself solely to the sport.
Several medals, trips, World Championships, and an Olympics later, Michel has become a leader in Paralympic rowing and has no intention of stopping. Focused on his upcoming challenges, he speaks about the sport and Flamengo with love in his voice, demonstrating the importance of both in his life. With the support of his wife and the admiration of his son, the rower wins a battle every day without losing his joy.
In the series "Eye on the Podium," the official website of the Rubro-Negro team 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 the Rubro-Negro and Brazilian Olympic sports stronger.
Beginning of rowing
I started the sport because I weighed 96 kg. I was a mechanic and had some difficulty walking, and I was very short of breath. So I thought I was getting too heavy, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up with my son, and I came to the conclusion that I needed to change that. I started bodybuilding and then moved on to weightlifting.
Then I saw a TV commercial about Olympic sports and rowing, which was starting to work with Paralympic athletes with Thayane Tavares. So I got the address and came to Flamengo. Franquilim was the one who started this project with her, so I wrote down his name to contact him directly. I arrived at the door and asked to speak to him. At the time, I weighed 87 kg and arrived looking all muscled up. He said he would talk to the club's board and would give an answer within a month. "A month is a long time," I thought. I called Frank beforehand to ask if he had an answer yet, back in 2013. He asked me to wait a bit, and I said I wanted to practice. That's how we decided to start training. Initially, they said two training sessions a week, but I said I wanted to go every day.
Fraquilim said no, it would be tough at first, as I needed to juggle the mechanics from 14pm to 21pm, get some sleep, and be at the oars by 4am. So I've been here since 2013.
The beginning was difficult because I thought I was strong because I was working out. So I wanted to go really hard, and Frank kept telling me to slow down. I kept thinking he was going too slow, but I wanted more. One day, he saw I was going too fast, so he put me on the track and told me to sprint 1.000 meters. I thought it was great, but by the time I got to 200 meters, I was already out of breath. I decided it was best to pay attention and follow what Franquilim was saying.
Difficulties at the beginning
When I started, I still took the bus and train. I'd arrive tired and in pain. Frank would ask how I was, and I always said I was fine, willing to do whatever was asked. Inside, I wanted to quit. I'd get home and tell my wife I didn't know how long I could last, because it was so demanding. A disability gives you a right, but if people aren't aware, it's difficult. I never ask for it, but I'd see on the train, for example, people in priority seats lowering their heads and pretending to be asleep. So I'd walk from Caxias to São Cristóvão standing. I knew it would hurt my training, but I kept pushing.
Then I'd go to work and my boss would ask how I managed. I think it was more that strength, that desire to say I could do it. In rowing, I've heard people say I was a waste of time, that I wouldn't amount to anything. I made the national team after only six months in the sport. I didn't know how to swim at the time and had to practice in the water. I wondered how I would still incorporate swimming into my routine. But I found a way, and everything worked out.
Today I feel good. I look back and think it's all God's plan; I won. But I don't think I've reached the top and am the best. I believe I still have a lot to improve, so much so that I'm always demanding of myself and respecting my coworkers. I tell myself you may be at the top, but you're no better than anyone else. I worry about that. In the past, people would come up to me and say, "Do you know who you are? It's Michel Pessanha, a rower." And I tell them I'm the same person who lives in Caxias, knows the same people, and is a rower. This awareness is what sets me apart.
Love for sport
Today I have the opportunity to experience several sports, but rowing makes you fall in love from the first moment. It's impossible. I know athletes who think about performance compared to their financial gain. For me, this is a consequence. I row for the love of the sport and to see where I am. I'm representing Flamengo. Now I'm going to the Brazilian National Team, but I'm a Flamengo athlete.
Relationship with Flamengo
I don't see myself at any other club. I'm a Flamengo product, and I want to end my career here rowing in this jersey. Sometimes I tell my neighbors that I'm a local rower, and even though they don't even know what rowing is, it makes me very proud.
Most memorable moment at Flamengo
When I joined the club, I had a team working here, providing full support to the athletes. So having all these people helping me was special. When I found that support here, everyone united for my dream... I always thought I'd work to make their investment worthwhile, as they believe in my potential.
Relationship with coach Franquilim Oliveira
I also dedicated myself a lot to Franquilim. He was the one who cheered me on the most during training, giving me so much encouragement, telling me I could do it. Not even my father believed in my potential as much. I remember that at the 2014 World Cup, he ran the entire track, shouting my name. I was in the boat hearing that voice, and I remember that day I said, "My God, if I don't get this medal for myself, it will be for this guy." You see the effort, all the excitement. To this day, when I get a good result, I see him crying and I'm speechless. That keeps me motivated.
Some people ask what keeps me performing so well all this time. I tell them it's those people who support me, who always fight, who believe in my work. This keeps me happy and striving to achieve my goals and theirs.
When someone considers another coach, I immediately say no. Sometimes I'm training and I feel like I've reached my limit. Then he starts yelling, "Come on, Michel! You can do it!" and it feels like I'm getting a boost of energy. I'm really grateful afterwards, because it feels like that was missing. If someone else calls me, I get annoyed because it's a distraction. But when it's him, it's not. I don't understand, but it's working (laughs).
Daily routine
The day-to-day is pretty hectic. I still wake up at 4 a.m., have breakfast, and head to the club, arriving around 6 a.m. I do my workout, which averages 16 to 20 km in the water, plus weight training, then I rest a bit and then go to the gym. I'm always trying to improve to perform well.
Difficulties of being a high-performance athlete
I think it's the recognition. I know people who say I don't work; I'm a rower. When I worked elsewhere, I didn't experience as much physical exhaustion as I do now in high-performance sports. I'm always striving to improve my times, and I'm held to a high standard. Sometimes I almost overtrain because I always push myself to the limit. Hearing someone say it's a pushover makes you realize that people don't appreciate it here in Brazil. Not just in sports, but in all areas, you always think others are doing less. For me, that's the biggest challenge. My dream is to see rowing at the top, the sport that founded it all. It's not that far off today, at least from what I see here at Flamengo, which is a powerhouse. You can see the investment, several high-performance athletes. It's very good.
Main competitions and preparation for Tokyo 2020
This year is the World Cup, which guarantees a spot in the Paralympics. I'm coming on strong with daily training, and I'll travel to São Paulo in early August for a training camp, and I'll be there. I don't know Brazil's placement today, but I think we've secured a spot now. Then it's time to start working toward the Games.
I like to break things down. The national team coach says I still have 2024, but my focus now is to qualify, then think about being in Tokyo, and then look to the next cycle. You have to have a goal. I'll work on it and give it my best.
This cycle I'm still in the Double Sculls, but starting next year we'll have the Single Sculls as well. So I'll have a better chance of winning medals.
family support
I had a messy family structure on my father's side, so I thought that when I had my own family, it would be different. In difficult moments in life, I'd look at my 5-year-old son and he'd say, "Dad, you're my pride and joy." I knew I couldn't let up. Today, at 15, I put him in the car, take him to the gym, give him advice, and help him. Sometimes people say I'm a role model for someone, but if I'm not a role model for my son, I've lost my battle. I don't want to conquer the world and lose my home. I want to be happy there and, if possible, help others grow. This partnership with my son is really cool.
My wife was my biggest encourager in rowing, always telling me I'm a warrior and urging me to keep going. I look at all this and, despite the daily struggle, I can only be grateful.
Idols in sports
I don't have a specific person. I admire high-performance athletes, like Isaquias Queiroz and Fabiana Beltrame. I look at them and reflect. I know Daniel Dias from Paralympic swimming. The guy, even with his disability, is always smiling and fighting. I'm at the Paralympic center and see athletes in worse situations than me, happy. Happiness is priceless; you just have to know how to appreciate things. These people are my idols.
Technical sheet
Name: Michel Gomes Pessanha Nascimento
Age: 40 years
Height: 1,71cm
Place of Birth: Rio de Janeiro
Main achievements: Bronze medal at the 2014 World Cup in the Netherlands, World Indoor Rowing Champion in the United States and winner of life's daily battles