Eyeing the podium: Willian Giaretton

By Mariana Sá and Helena Petry - in 31/07/2019 às 14:50

Willian Giaretton's rowing debut began in 2004, through a social project that encouraged sports in schools. Today, 15 years later, the rower is preparing for the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Having represented the Brazilian national team and even competed in the Olympics, being part of the Rio 2016 squad, Willian is one of Flamengo's and Brazil's biggest names in the medal race.

His history with the Red-Blacks began in 2009. Despite a hiatus in 2014, he returned in 2018 to resume a successful chapter in his career. Away from the waters of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Willian relies heavily on the support of his fiancée, with whom he shares victories and difficult moments on his arduous journey to becoming a high-performance athlete.

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 of rowing

I started through a social project in 2004. It was a Federal Government program, the 'Segundo Tempo' (Second Time), which included rowing, sailing, and canoeing. The first class I took, I was invited to join a club. So I started attending the Guaíba Regatta Club in Porto Alegre. I enjoyed it, competed, and loved it. I won my first Regatta and felt the adrenaline of winning. It got into my blood, and I started taking it seriously.

Arrival at Flamengo

I arrived at the end of 2009, left in 2014, and returned in 2018. I was rowing at a club in Rio de Janeiro and saw that the training opportunities and conditions here at Flamengo were better. That's why I decided to change at that time.

A defining moment at the club

It was 2011 or 2012. I was in the U-23 category, and we won every competition. I still remember the coach at the time coming up to us and saying, "Come on, I'm counting on you guys to win, and it's very important for us to win the championship. So win this competition." It was pressure, but that's a good thing.

Daily routine

I usually wake up around 5:6 AM, make breakfast, and cycle to the club. Training starts at 30:11 AM, and we do two sessions, leaving around XNUMX:XNUMX AM. I go home, come back here, and do another part of the training. Sometimes I also go to the Physical Education college afterward.

Difficulties of being a high-performance athlete

The biggest challenge is staying at the top. Getting there is difficult, but it's much more motivating. Staying there is more complicated.

Pan American

The main competition this year will be the Pan American Games. We're improving significantly with the new coach (Bernhard Stomporowski), as he's changed our training profile for Brazil. It's more intensive. These different stimuli are stimulating our bodies, which are adapting better and getting more out of us. The outlook is good.

Bride's support and brother's pride

I plan to have children in two or three years. I rely heavily on my fiancée's support, as she supports me wherever I go, including international competitions and in Rio. She's my main pillar today, being by my side 24/18. I have seven siblings, six boys and one girl, but I don't have much contact. One of them makes me very proud, as he's currently doing track and field and is making great progress. I believe he could be a high-performance athlete in the future. He's XNUMX and lives in Rio Grande do Sul. He's thought about rowing, but since I'm far away and we live a bit apart, it's difficult for him to practice.

Idol in sports

Ayrton Senna. He was one of our greatest idols and the man who inspired our Sunday mornings.

Hobbies

I like cycling and traveling, especially by bicycle.

Other sports besides rowing

Cycling, swimming, and canoeing. But what I enjoy most is watching the rowing events.

Free time

Study, go to the movies, do something different. Go to places farther away from people to be alone.

Technical sheet

Name: Willian Karllos Giareton

Age: 28 years

Height: 1,85m

Place of Birth: Ponte Serrada, Santa Catarina

Main achievements: several Brazilian titles, four South American titles, one title in the Pan-American Regatta (qualifying for Rio 2016), bronze in the World Championships in Sarasota 2017, two bronze medals in World Cups (2017) and participation in the 2016 Olympic Games.