Eyeing the podium: Milena Viana
By Mariana Sá and Helena Petry - inMilena Viana is only 21 years old, but she's already making a name for herself in the red-and-black and Brazilian rowing scene. On the eve of her first Pan American Games, the athlete started at 12 with Flamengo and has a strong connection with the club that nurtured her. Three times the fastest in the country, Milena dreams of reaching the Olympics and winning a medal in the competition.
A fan of Isaquias Queiroz, a Flamengo canoeist with two Olympic medals, she hasn't yet had the opportunity to speak with her idol, but she admires his journey of overcoming adversity from afar. Now, she has the chance to inspire someone else: her own sister, who at 10 years old already watches Milena closely.
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.
Beginning in sport
I started rowing when I was 12. For the first two years, I treated it as a hobby, but that changed when I competed in my first Brazilian Championship and won. Then I started dedicating myself more and more, because that feeling of winning was so good. At 14 or 15, I decided to fully delve into the sport.
I started here at Flamengo through a social project they ran to recruit students in schools. My first coach was at my school, he invited me, and I was interested in coming.
Return to Fla
I left at the end of 2016 because I wasn't happy there and my performance was declining. So I went to Grêmio Náutico, where Marcello Varriale was coaching. I spent a year there coaching, and then he decided to come to Flamengo. I came back believing in his project, and everything is working out.
Most memorable moment at Flamengo
It was now in 2019, when I won the title of fastest in Brazil for the third consecutive year. We had the Qualifying in April of this year, and that's how I reached the milestone.
Daily routine
We train every day in the morning and afternoon. Mornings are always more challenging. We also have activities on the weekends.
Biggest challenges of being a high-performance athlete
Giving up some moments to be here the next day. I've missed out on spending time with my family on a few occasions, at nighttime parties, because I needed to be here the next day at 6 a.m. I couldn't be with them. That's the hardest part, giving up everything to pursue a dream.
Pan American Games in Lima
The main competition is the Pan American Games. I think we have the capacity to achieve excellent results, as the team is well-coordinated and we're working hard. Thinking about the Olympic Games, the scenario changes, as the boats and the performance levels are different. We'll have to sit down with the coach to determine what will be best.
Early rise and future
I really want to go to the Olympic Games in the Skiff, which is a boat I really enjoy rowing. Having won many titles in the past and this year in this competition, I believe I can do very well. However, I can't get complacent and comfortable with these achievements, thinking that by letting things happen, they will happen. I have to work harder and harder. From now on, I'll focus more and more on the goal because I know it works. I intend to continue in the sport until I'm 30 or achieve my goals. I have great potential.
Family
My parents are married, and I also have a younger sister who also rows here at the club. We get along really well. My sister even gets jealous sometimes when there's a competition. My parents are very happy, and she wants to join in too. Until she got all silly when she competed in the Regatta of the Future, finishing second. I don't think she yet understands the magnitude of what it means to go to the Pan American Games, to a World Championship. I think when she sees and experiences this, she'll be very proud.
Idol
Isaquias Queiroz. I think his story is really interesting. He's a guy who had nothing and won two Olympic medals. It shows that you don't need everything to achieve your goals; you need to be persistent and go after them. I see him as a great idol. I haven't had the chance to talk to him yet, because when he was here, he was always surrounded by people. Plus, he was always in the water in the little time I had, or he wasn't here at all. But I plan to talk to him one day.
Hobbies
Traveling, going to the beach, walking the dogs. Other than that, it's rowing.
Other modalities
I like to follow basketball, soccer and swimming.
Free time
Watch movies, sleep and stay at home more.
Technical sheet
Name: Milena Matias Viana
Age: 21 years
Height: 1,85m
Place of Birth: Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Main achievements: Three-time champion of the Selection (fastest in Brazil), ninth place in the Single Skiff at the U23 World Championship in 2018 and fifteenth at the World Cup in 2018.