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28-Nov-08:
Panam Juniors 2008
Gonzalo Miranda
Panamerican Junior Champion 2008
Interview by Esteban Casarino
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Panam Juniors 2008 |
 18
year old Argentinean, Gonzalo Miranda was recently crowned
Pan-American junior champion in the event that was contested last
month in Lima, Peru. It was the best way to finish his junior
career, because he has won almost every continental event he has
entered.
This is what he told us in a recent interview.
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Gonzalo, what’s the feeling after achieving such an important goal
as becoming Pan-American champ?
Well, the truth is that it was a unique feeling, to me this is the
most important junior event in our continent, and so from my first
Pan-Am champs I have always dreamed about it, finally it came true.
Last year you lost in semi-final, against almost the same top
players, what was different in your preparation?
Personally I think there was a big change, the truth is that last
year I had a bitter taste when I lost in the semis because I knew I
had chances of winning the tournament, from then on I said to my
self that I would train much harder so I could reach this year in
the best shape I could. At the beginning of the year I started going
to Paraguay to train with Esteban Casarino to whom (and his family)
I’m very grateful for what he has done for me during this time.
Winning the event without losing a game makes it even better?
I think it’s just a detail, when you walk on court you just want to
win and if you can do that without giving one point away, it’s even
better. Obviously it's great when you stand in front of the draw
after the tournament and you see that you won every match 3/0 but at
the end the title has the same taste.
When did you set the Pan-American title as a personal goal?
The truth is I’ve always wanted to win it, to me it meant a lot, but
I think that losing last year one step before the final made me
realize that next year (2008) I had a very good chance doing the
thing properly.
How many years of training and hard work do you think it took
you to win this?
I think it took a lot of time, tournaments, training sessions,
experiences. Obviously all this year I’ve worked really hard to get
myself prepared for the Pan-American , but I think it’s like I said
before, a lot of training, experiences and every day efforts since
the day I took the squash seriously.
You also won the team event with Argentina, how did the double
gold feel?
Fortunately we also won the team event and it was a wonderful joy,
not just because of the fact of winning but because it was the first
time Argentina won the gold medal in the Pan American juniors and
being part of it and being able to help the team to take the title
home makes me really proud and specially happy.
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Now, what projects till the end
of the year?
Well honestly there are not many important events now because the
year is finishing, but in short terms I will play the last junior
national in Argentina and the last national ranking event also. I’ll
see if I can get a good spot there
…next year and the next…?
Next year there seems to be very busy, I would like to get into the
professional world. I’m thinking about either going to play PSA
events around Pan-America or go to Europe for a while and start
there; unfortunately it depends a little bit on the financial side
of it.
About the National team I hope to be a part of it again and
hopefully retain the South American title we achieved in the last
S.A. Champs in Asunción, Paraguay this year.
Any message you would like to share with the
kids that might be reading this?
Just to tell them that the squash is a beautiful sport, on court and
off court; Thanks to it I’ve met a lot of people, cultures, places,
you make friends, learn languages and a thousand things that only a
sport like this can give you.
To the occasional player, have fun every time you get on court;
enjoy it as much as you can.
To the serious junior who has goals and objectives, never drop your
arms, always keep working hard and keep fighting, because as
everything in life, if you do the things right and you are
disciplined, you will get what you want with out even noticing.
Thank you Gonzalo and congratulations.
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