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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 Jan. - 2 Feb. 2000 Issue No. 466 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 Jan. - 2 Feb. 2000 Issue No. 466
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters For the fun of it
By Abeer Anwar
Portugal's Joao Rodrigues, who captured the Al-Ahram Penta Mistral 2000 World Cup in the men's competition, is ranked 2 in the world in windsurfing. The 28-year-old started playing it at the age of nine when his father bought him a windsurfing board. "My two brothers started practising and I decided to join them," Rodrigues said. "They didn't continue and I became a world champion."
photo: Mohamed Wassim
He did not take it seriously until a few years ago when he began entering events. After obtaining a degree in engineering, he gradually rose in the rankings, finishing up in 23rd place in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 7th place in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Finishing third in the 1999 World Championship in France allowed him to qualify for the Sydney Olympics. In preparation, he will participate in the World Championships starting next month in Belgium. In March he will take some time off but will participate in Sydney's International Race in April. The following months his calendar is taken up by the European Championships and the Dutch International Race.
He said the Al-Ahram tournament was good preparation for the World Championship. "I think the event was perfectly organised. It is my first visit to Egypt and the Red Sea but it is the best water I have ever windsurfed in. This place could hold very successful world championships and international events." He said Egyptian players lack competition, good coaching and training. "If they are not challenged they will never progress but they certainly have the talent and the fitness."
Retirement is the farthest thing from his mind -- except if he gets children. "I will give them all my time." Rodrigues' wife sails along with him during their free time. "She is with me in almost all my championships and I think she is the reason behind my success."
Rodrigues said he loved windsurfing and plays for the enjoyment more than anything else. He describes it as interesting because no two days are alike. "The wind has the final say. Sometimes you're fully prepared to race and suddenly it's cancelled." If he is ever invited to take part in an event in Egypt, especially along the Red Sea, he says he won't refuse. "It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should not be lost."
