Pedro Pichardo is ‘very grateful’ to Portugal for becoming a two-time European triple jump champion.

Portugal’s Pedro Pablo Pichardo was ‘very grateful’ to Portugal on his return to Lisbon after becoming a two-time European indoor triple jump champion in Istanbul on Friday.

“I have never regretted being here. I am very happy here, very grateful to the country and people for all the love, messages, everything. I am very happy,” admitted the national triple jump record holder. , who improved his record precisely at the European “indoor” Istanbul 2023, making a jump of 17.60 meters, which led him to victory and became the highest record in Portugal in this discipline.

Minutes after landing at the Humberto Delgado airport in Lisbon, Pedro Pablo Pichardo made no secret of his pride at yet another accomplished feat.

“I am very happy, it is very exciting to become a two-time European indoor champion. Now the goal is to rest for five days, live until the summer and continue to gain victories. Diamond league and we are focused on winning as well as good jumps,” the jumper planned.

Pedro Pablo Pichardo has confirmed his European indoor title – he still holds the European scepter outdoors and is also the holder of European, world and Olympic titles. However, it does not make any specific distinction in achievement.

“For me, all medals have different values, all are important, all are of great importance. The main thing, firstly, is to be healthy and be able to train well, otherwise always add victories and bring medals. and titles home. For me, this is always important, ”said the athlete, a native of Cuba and a naturalized Portuguese since 2017.

Because of the results already obtained, Pichardo only thinks about the ultimate future goal: a world record.

“In my head, I don’t focus on it, I try to keep my feet on the ground and do my job. The rest comes from competition. World record, let’s try, now that we have all the titles, just try this record, the only thing missing,” he said.

Smiling, Pedro Pablo Pichardo emphasized the merits of his coach and father, Jorge Pichardo, who accompanied him: “I am very happy, it is a great emotion to be a two-time European indoor champion. The secret of success is a lot of training, a lot of work. We have to ask “Mr” [o seu treinador e pai]he says he medals it. We are good friends, I am very grateful that I have such a father, I think that without him I would not have achieved what I have achieved today.

Next to him, pleased with the achievements of his son and student, Jorge Pichardo, responsible for training and managing the career of the Portuguese national record holder in the triple jump, did not reduce demand.

“I am proud, but not happy, because our goal is to break all records in the triple jump. We won, but the medal is mine, ”he said between laughter, setting a world record in the triple jump, whose estimate is 18.29 meters and which has been owned by Briton Jonathan Edwards since 1995.