«My dream is to come back with a medal. If I fail, I hope to make the best possible test ». Donato Telesca, 22, is leaving for Tokyo where, from 24 August, there will be the Paralympics. The Lucanian athlete’s legs were amputated after a domestic accident when he was three years old. He has always worn prostheses and played sports as he tells in the forthcoming book written with Donato Di Capua. With the blue jersey he participates in weightlifting competitions.
“They are my first Paralympics. Five years ago I had just discovered my sport and I was not ready, I was 17 »explains the Italian representative who holds the European record in the category up to 80 kg, lifting 198 kg at the Dubai World Cup last June.
“I’m excited, but I think I’ll only really realize when I’m in the Olympic village. I would like to come back with a good result, but I am aware that already being there is a super elite thing. The idea of the medal there is, but I’m not among the favorites. They are a step behind them, but it is not impossible to reach them. I want to give my best to be able to play it “he says without fear of showing a bit of awe towards games.
«I was already going to the gym and I discovered Paralympic weightlifting at the age of 17. I called left and right to find out how it worked. I realized that I had talent and predisposition. After only a few months of preparation, I made mine first race and, without having tried a regulated bench before, I came out unscathed taking home a medal and an Italian title ».
Since then he has been training with the national team. A year later he made international competitions with a silver in the world cup among the under 21. «I am the youngest and the least experienced. I train twice a day for about 4 hours in total, mainly bench press ». The rest of the time is devoted to study.
“I’ve always wanted to study economics. I chose the Luiss (follows the Luiss Sport Academy – Dual Career program, born in 2015, dedicated to top athletes to combine study with sport) in Rome where I train ». He is fresh out of a degree in Economics and Management and goes to the Paralympics even though everyone said it was impossible. “It isn’t, you have to be willing to make sacrifices to get these results.” He is ready to continue with sport and with the University before there is an appointment in Tokyo: his race on August 29 at lunchtime.
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