Enrique Llopis: “I left football when I saw parents insulting from the stands”

Enrique Llopis (Gandía, 22 years old) began to explode sportingly last season, although his great achievements, including the finalist position in the European Championship in Munich, were overshadowed by the overwhelming emergence in that same period of Asier Martínez. At the beginning of this course, the Valencian has gone one step further. He beat Navarrese in the final of the 60 hurdles of the Spanish Championship, with a national record included after equaling the 7.48 that Orlando Ortega had alone, and now he is aiming for his first absolute international medal by reaching the European indoor track with the second best mark of all the participants. It will be one of the great assets of a championship that today begins to distribute his first medals. I don’t have to ask him how he feels when he arrives in Istanbul, right? I am in my best form, with a lot of confidence. It has been a very good two months, both in preparation and in competitions. Now it’s time to finish off in this European championship. Bring out my best version. Did you expect this big jump during the winter? It has been a bit of a surprise. We knew that the practice sessions were going well, the times were good… But the goal was to finish the indoor track with a 7.52 or 7.53. Aim has been sped up. Making a record for Spain was a very unlikely option. It’s time to continue working the same way, with your feet on the ground. At the last minute, Asier Martínez was released due to a back problem. It’s a stick. I spoke to him as soon as the news broke and he was screwed. All athletes have seen ourselves in situations like that. The only thing now is to wish him a quick recovery so that he arrives outdoors in his best shape. Does that rivalry between you make you better? Clear. I was lucky to see his bronze medal up close at the World Cup. And the European gold in Munich within the race (he was seventh). These are things that motivated me a lot. I have Asier as a reference, because what he has achieved is outrageous. And with 22 years. Seeing his achievements helps me train harder and try to reach that level. Related News Standard Athletics Yes Where are the limits of Duplantis? Laura Marta The athlete improves data with each attempt and with his technique and physique still evolving. How is your relationship? Very good. When we have to train together we always try to help each other where we can. If we see an error or something in which we can contribute to each other, we will comment on it. It’s really cool to have that relationship. How did you start in athletics? I started playing soccer when I was seven years old and that was my sport for several years. The first relationship with athletics was in a summer school, being a child. I had a great time. My coach saw my aptitudes and encouraged me to stay, but I still went back to football. However, at the end of that season, I decided to try again and I stayed with athletics. What got you? The fact of going to the track, competing against rivals who later become very good friends. Even from your best friends. It was something that I couldn’t find an explanation for because of course, coming from football… We already know what football is like. Very different. There is a continuous pique that is not found in other sports. Haven’t played again? Neither to play nor to see it. Honestly, I don’t like it at all anymore. At the time I left him because of the bad vibes there was, it was all insults or disrespect in the field. I’m talking about when I was 12 or 13 years old. Even then it seemed outrageous to me that there were parents insulting from the stands. That made me lose my love for football. And did the billboards choose you or did you choose them? It was mutual. On the second day my coach already told me to try hurdles, that because of my height I could do well. I felt like it because it was the discipline of my friend Luis Salort. I ever trained combined, but little. Always go. In Gandía, what do they say? Very proud, really. And I, delighted to be able to carry the name of my people around the world. What do you like to do off the track? Watching series, spending time with the family, reading… I study Law and Economics and there isn’t much free time either. I go little by little. At the moment I’m not in a hurry and athletics is the priority. But obviously I want to have something for the future. With what result would he leave Istanbul satisfied? Improving the square in Munich I would be happy. But the first thing is to enter the final. From then on we all know what the finals are like and that anything can happen.