Davisleidys Velazco is a young representative of the Cuban school of the triple jump. Born in 1999, she decides to emigrate to the United States in October 2023, after reaching the final of her specialty in Tokyo 2020 with a jump of 14 meters 14 centimeters; winning the Cuba Cup 2022 with 14.22 meters, the NACAC U23 tournament, the U20 Pan American Games, and being a bronze medalist at the U20 World Championship. She holds a personal best of 14.34 meters.
At 24 years old, the Cuban woman lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico and is trained by a talented coach who has already experienced the sweetness of success, the also Cuban Raúl Duany.
It was a pleasure talking to you. Indeed, I was part of the national team; I just left, I just left. I didn't ask for leave, I didn't say anything. I went on a journey and was in Mexico for two months waiting for the appointment, and I entered the United States through the CBP ONE app.
What are you doing, just training, what perspectives do you have? Do you plan to compete this year or have you done so?
I work and train; my goal is to compete this year within the country because due to my legal status, I cannot travel abroad until I obtain my residency.
What characterizes you as a triple jumper: speed, power, amplitude in the jump arc?
Actually, I believe I am quite powerful and a little fast. I feel like I have many things to improve; that's where my greatest desire lies, knowing that I have plenty of things to overcome, that I have many goals to achieve. That's what it's all about... growing!
Why did you leave, were you looking for other horizons?
One of the reasons why I decided to leave was because I felt that I needed to step out of my comfort zone, I felt like I was not progressing, I had lost confidence in myself. I looked at the future and realized that I had to seek new things, other opportunities that are always welcome.
When do you go for the three-pointer?
My first medal was at the age of 15 in a National competition that was going to be my last because I had not achieved a result that would allow me to advance to a higher category within high-level competition. I had tried various athletic disciplines, and it was then that my coach, Iván Izaguirre (national team jumps coach), introduced me to the triple jump.
That was in 2015. With that being said, we trained three times as hard that year, and I made it to the National event held in Las Tunas, and guess what? I won! I even beat three national team athletes, and I was still in the EIDE. That's how, from what could have been a farewell, I was recruited for the national team.
That's why I affirm to you that I still have a world to learn within the triple jump, and doing it with such an experienced and successful coach like Duany makes me dream.
If with hardly any time in the specialty, I won bronze in a Youth World Championship, became a medalist in a Pan American event also for youth, experienced what the Olympic Games are like, the future lies in my legs, my head, and my heart.
At this moment, Cuba is placing its greatest Olympic hopes in the triple jump, both for women and men. What is your opinion?
Yes, and that makes me very happy; I am certain that among the women there will be a medal. In the case of the men, I see it a bit more difficult but I cannot say one thing for another. In competitions, anything can happen and there are always athletes who defy expectations; so, we just have to wait.
In addition to Lazarito and Christian Atanay, three other Cuban triple jumpers will represent three different countries (Portugal, Spain, and Italy). What are your wishes for them?
In sentimental matters, my friend and brother is Andy Díaz, and I always turn to him: I know and am certain that he will win a medal. Best wishes to everyone.
Training with Ubaldo Duany, the mastermind behind the great triumphs of Colombian athlete Caterine Ibargüen, is a clear sign that you are a great athlete; he does not train just anyone. Surely he sees something in you. How did you meet, how is it going with him, have you improved your records?
For me, training with Duany right now is something I never imagined would happen, it's something that has me super motivated and with a lot more desire to face the high jump box.
He is an excellent coach and a great person, and yes, I have improved. For example, with nine running steps, I jumped 14 meters and 9 centimeters, something I could barely do with a full run-up. It's a good sign, I am technically improving every day. Duany heard about me, contacted me, and asked if I wanted to train with him, and I didn't think twice.
Ubaldo Duany was the coach who led Ibargüen to the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and silver at the 2012 London Olympics; two titles in World Championships and six Diamond League Trophies.
According to the Internet, you have a best mark of 14 meters and 34 centimeters; at the moment, whereabouts are the javelins of the Camagueyan woman?
I have not officially jumped in any competition yet; they have only been tests like the one I told you about, the 14.09 with 9 steps. I am not in a competitive phase, I am just starting out. Imagine the time of the journey, the arrival, getting settled, all of that is time without training, four and a half months without jumping. It is not easy to break the training time in high performance. It is leaving behind one phase and starting another.
You already had an Olympic experience in Tokyo, now you have to let Paris go. What do you think about Los Angeles 2028 where you would arrive at 28 years old, a perfect age for a triple jumper?
Yes, and nowadays I train and dream about that. I know I will get there in my best shape, both athletically and professionally. That's why I am working seriously, listening to my coach, taking care of myself, and allowing myself to grow in every way.
Do you miss your family?
My family is big, but my mom Águeda Bárbara is everything, and my dad David, too. He always supported me in sports, was always there and is present in my sports career; I love them both. They are my reason for being; because of them, I will go far in the world triple jump because I know that my limit is yet to be seen.
What do you think?
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