Luana is a dedicated steeplechase runner with nearly 170 medals and 30 trophies - an astonishing achievement for somebody so young.

Mentioning all her successes would be nearly impossible, so I asked her which achievement means the most for her. “Without a doubt, winning the National Champion title for the first time in Viana, because it's always been my dream”, was her answer.

Luana is two-time National Champion in the 1500m steeplechase (Algarve Selection - U-16 Youth Olympics in Viana do Castelo and U-16 Nationals in Seia).

How did you discover this sport (steeplechase)?

When I was 5, a friend of mine (Eva Nunes) met me at the supermarket and asked me if I wanted to try track and field. I replied that I didn't know what it was, and she replied, "Just run."

Are you part of a team?

Yes, I started right away with a team; training sessions were 200 meters from my house. Until I was 13, I was with ADECTunes, but since September 2024, I've represented AABV - Associação Académica da Bela Vista - Lagoa. A club that offers excellent training conditions for athletes. My trainer is Paulo Ferro.

Have you loved sports since childhood? Are you good at other sports?

Yes, I think I was born into it. At the age of 2, I was already going to the soccer fields with my father. I've always enjoyed all kinds of sports. I practiced skating, swimming, capoeira, and acrobatic gymnastics, but I found the right sport when I started athletics. I love it.

Do your parents play sports? Who encouraged you to start practicing?

Yes, my father has been a soccer referee for many years, and before that, he played soccer for teams in the Alentejo and Algarve.

As I mentioned earlier, my friend and my father, who have always been involved in sports, instilled in me the values of sports.

Have your parents supported you from the beginning?

Yes, I've always received support from them, and that was one of the factors that helped me grow a lot. Looking around and seeing them is everything. Fortunately, they're always present at competitions, whether in the Algarve or the North.

Do you want to become a professional? Or do you intend to go to university? What are your plans?

That's my goal: becoming a professional. I'm aware that I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I believe I have the ability and determination to go far. I want to be a high-performance/professional athlete and, of course, go to university, certainly in the sports field. Regarding my plans, I'm determined to continue participating in athletics as an athlete and soon, to combine university with sports.

How many times a week do you train? And where?

I usually train four times a week (Monday through Thursday) and compete on the weekends. On the week I don't have a competition, I only rest on Sunday, meaning I train six times. Training takes place at the Bela Vista Stadium in Parchal.

Is it difficult to balance training with school? Do you have an individual plan to manage it?

It's quite difficult to manage both. Sometimes I get home from school at 5:20 pm and only have an hour to eat, study, do homework, and pack my training bag. I often take my books to study in the club van when I travel. These days, the plan is to make the most of the little free time I have to study, and regarding the training plan, everything is handled by Coach Paulo Ferro.

Are you a determined person? What keeps you going every day?

I'm a very determined person. I always have my goals in mind, and there's no training session I don't give my all in. What keeps me going is not just the dream of becoming a professional, but also the support of my family.

How does your routine differ from other people your age? You don't have much free time, do you?

My friends have a completely different routine than mine. Whenever they invite me out, I usually say no because I have training or competitions. Believe me, it's not easy, but it seems like an automatic response to my friends. They know why and understand, and they are happy for me about my achievements. Just to give you an idea, I usually get to have dinner together with my parents and siblings only on Fridays.

What school do you attend? Do your classmates and teachers support you?

I used to attend EB1, 2, 3 in Guia, and next school year I plan to go to Albufeira Secondary School. Studying in Lagoa next year would be an advantage for me because there's support for high-performance athletes, which would make it easier to manage my studies (work, classes, tests). My classmates are always extremely supportive, and the teachers initially didn't like postponing tests, etc., but they began to realize that these were truly national competitions, and some of them represented not only the school but also a region. I started to feel proud of myself; they always congratulated me as soon as I arrived.

Do you train all year? Or do you take a break in the summer?

Practically yes, I train at least 11 months of the year, but of course, with lighter sessions during the off-season. I only take a full rest in August, but I stay active, not necessarily athletics, I do other sports that involve movement, and of course, I make the most of the month off with my younger siblings, who also love sports.

Author

Tereza Pedro is originally from Slovakia and now based in the Algarve, with a master’s in mass media. Passionate about lifestyle and storytelling, she captures the essence of daily life through a blend of creativity, international perspective, and coastal living—all while raising her son.

Tereza Pedro