Meet Marina Valadão, coach of the red-and-black synchronized swimming team
At the club since 2010, the coach is one of those responsible for the good results in the sport
By Raiana Monteiro - inFlamengo's synchronized swimming has become a benchmark in Brazil, and for good reason. With hard work between the coaching staff and athletes, the red-and-black sport continues to grow and seek more and more medals, in addition to collecting call-ups to the Brazilian National Team.
Marina Valadão, currently the junior and junior coach at Mais Querido, joined the club in April 2010 as an intern and was hired as a coach three years later. Her passion for synchronized swimming began in college: "I fall in love with any activity involving dance, with an artistic side. During my first year of college, I met Professor Sônia Hercowitz and was invited to take the synchronized swimming class. I was already familiar with the sport, but taking the class made me fall even more in love with it because it's in the water and I also love swimming."
Flamengo has become one of the country's leading athlete development clubs. Consistently contributing talent to the Brazilian National Team, the team's strong synchronized swimming efforts have yielded significant results. "I'm very happy and fortunate to have joined and be part of a coaching staff like Flamengo's. I think it's important for athletes to participate in the national team, starting at the youth level. Together with Beta, Carlinhos, and Thais, I strive to develop and prepare these athletes with a focus on and goal for the Brazilian national teams," stated Marina.
Marina isn't alone at the poolside. Alongside Roberta Perilier, known as Beta, the red-and-black coaches do a great job in the sport. "Just like our sport, my relationship with Beta is synchronized. Sometimes we have different opinions and thoughts, but we always strive to bring together the best to build our teams' goals, objectives, and training plans. Besides being a friend, Beta is my eternal poolside mentor. Much of what I've learned and achieved in the sport is due to the teamwork she brings." headcoach"I don't see her as a mirror, because everyone has their own personality, but rather as an example of success and dedication. Working alongside an Olympic coach every day is challenging, because I'm always giving my all to not disappoint her. I'm very happy to have her as a work colleague and to know that, among so many renowned people, she believed in me and chose me to work alongside her," she commented.
Marina isn't alone at the poolside. Alongside Roberta Perilier, known as Beta, the red-and-black coaches do a great job in the sport. "Just like our sport, my relationship with Beta is synchronized. Sometimes we have different opinions and thoughts, but we always strive to bring together the best to build our teams' goals, objectives, and training plans. Besides being a friend, Beta is my eternal poolside mentor. Much of what I've learned and achieved in the sport is due to the teamwork she brings." headcoach"I don't see her as a mirror, because everyone has their own personality, but rather as an example of success and dedication. Working alongside an Olympic coach every day is challenging, because I'm always giving my all to not disappoint her. I'm very happy to have her as a work colleague and to know that, among so many renowned people, she believed in me and chose me to work alongside her," she commented.In her four years as a coach, Marina Valadão has experienced many memorable moments, but two stand out: Jaddy Milla's first gold medal, won at the 2015 Brazilian Category Championship in the children's floor event, and Giovana Faria's first gold medal in her first international competition in 2017, in the children's floor event at the Santiago Open. "It was remarkable because these were athletes who started with me in preschool, and it's incredible to watch their growth as athletes," she explained.
In conclusion, the coach defined Flamengo's synchronized swimming team in a few words: "More than a team, a big family. We are who we are because unity comes first."
The synchronized swimming teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR), as well as support from the Brazilian Committee of Clubs (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro (Red-Black Guardian Angel Project), a tax transfer for individuals, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved Club.
The synchronized swimming teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR), as well as support from the Brazilian Committee of Clubs (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro (Red-Black Guardian Angel Project), a tax transfer for individuals, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved Club.