In 2018 the story of athlete Clara Baiocchi, a native of Bell Ville, went around the world. The reason? She finished barefoot, blistered and bleeding, her hurdle race at the U-20 World Cup in Finland. The message was clear: never give up. Five years have passed since that competition and ‘Clarita’ continues with her dreams in athletics.
Currently, it is in a process of transition to high performance. Since he was 10 years old, he has been part of the Argentine National Team, competing in international tournaments, always in his category. Last year he jumped to the senior category, where the level is higher. However, the Cordoba woman set herself the goal of returning to international competitions and returning to the National Team. She and she did it: she has just qualified for the South American Senior Tournament to be held in July in Brazil.
“The demands are more, but little by little I am reintroducing myself into international competitions. Now I want to continue improving not only to qualify, but also to perform as well as possible and, in the future, I want to bring medals back to the country,” the 1.59-meter athlete told PROFILE CÓRDOBA.
For the South American qualification process, the two important tournaments that were taken as reference were the National in May and the Grand Prix in June, in which Baiocchi obtained second place in both and won the same mark, close to those demand It should be noted that two representatives per country, per test, classify this contest. ‘Clarita’, eight times medalist –two gold– with Argentina, will participate in the 3,000 meter hurdles.
—What was left of that youth World Cup where you were in the news?
—For me it was mission accomplished, because I had two objectives. One was to give my best and I did, because despite the accident I had, I gave my best in the race, I didn’t give up, I kept going and reached the finish line. The second objective was to be able to help someone and it happened. God allows things to happen for a reason. The accident in the race due to testimony, I know that many people were encouraged to continue, despite the difficulties. What happened to me to motivate others. That was better than any sporting result I could have gotten.
—What are your goals today in athletics?
— It will always be helpful and motivating. Leave positive marks on others in the role that touches me. And in terms of sports for this year, I had two objectives: one was to qualify for the South American Championship and the second is to qualify for the Pan American Championship, which will take place in November. I want to give my best in both tournaments and, obviously, in terms of times, improve my times.
UNTIL THE END. In 2018, Baiocchi finished a semi-barefoot race and his story went viral.
AN ATHLETE WITH FAITH AND ALL TERRAIN
Clara Baiocchi, born on December 8, 1999, trains from Monday to Monday in search of her goals. In addition, she is a physical education teacher – she graduated in 2022 – she is studying for a degree in physical activity at the Universidad del Gran Rosario and in January she opened a running group in her native Bell Ville. She is also part of Argentina Christian Athletes. “I have been in this ministry at the national level for three years, whose objective is that athletes can know Jesus and share what God has done in our lives. And also to understand that God gave us this talent to make him known ”, she maintains.
—What do you like most about athletics?
— Compete against myself, since in athletics we compete against the times we do, regardless of whether or not we beat another. And it’s something that helps me face my fears and limitations. Throughout my entire sports career I have always struggled with confidence, with believing that I cannot do it, I always tend to feel less than or believe that I am not capable of certain challenges and then I am surprised. I face it understanding that I am here because God put me and gave me this talent and if he put me here he will give me tools to overcome each challenge. That feeds my faith and helps air for more. One of my favorite Bible verses is Joshua 1:9, where God says “be strong and brave, I will be with you wherever you go”. It reminds me that I must do my part, not get discouraged and go with the confidence that God will be with me at every step.
CLASSIFICATION. He made the podium in his last competition and violated his ticket to the South American Seniors. He highlights the support of his mother.
