My life so far...
A whole life can never be described on just one page but I’ll try to offer you an overview of my life and development as a person and as an athlete. I hope you’ll find it interesting!
Even though my name sounds Chinese, I was born and raised somewhere completely different: Matanzas, Cuba. My ethnic background is Spanish (Basque country), afro-cuban and Chinese. My grandfather emigrated from southern China to Cuba in the 1930’s.
I’ve always been very active and dynamic. As all children, I was always out and about and danced salsa with the neighbours’ kids with enthusiasm. When 5 years old, I was on stage for the first time, acting a part in a children’s musical play. With 8 years, I wanted to start gymnastics or ballet but my mom didn’t let me because of my asthma condition. Same story again when I was 10 and wanted to be part of my schools rowing team. Instead of that I started playing volleyball and took part in the national championships for the following five years. This was when I first started with an intensive training schedule.
After changing schools when I was 15 I started to practice Tae Kwon-Do. The training was tough but I loved it! During my university studies of English literature during the following five years, my physical activities were much reduced. After graduation and starting to work at the „Breezes Varadero“ resort in Cuba’s main beach resort town, I was asked take the position of fitness instructor at the resorts gym. This is when I started weight training for the first time.
In 2000 I met the man who was to change my life completely. With him, now my husband, I moved to Europe where I continued to work as a fitness instructor and also as a Personal Trainer. My husband suggested taking part in fitness competitions but I didn’t feel ready for that, mainly due to my lack of a gymnastics background.
It wasn’t until 2005 that I competed fort the first time at the western German championship of the NAC. I had no clue what I was doing and didn’t expect much but, to my great surprise, finished first.
The same year I finished a close second at the national championships and won the Miss Universe title in my category. Since then I have placed in the top 3 at 13 German, European and international competitions. I have met many people through my competitive activities (friends, other athletes and fans) who motivate me and give me the strength and ambition to reach even higher. Of course, the level of the competitions and competitors is now much higher and I have resolved to work much harder to further develop my figure and choreography.
At the start of 2008, my husband and I moved to Florida/USA where we live in the nice place overlooking the ocean.
I am planning to start competing in the US and maybe someday soon I will be able to attain a pro card which now is my big goal. I love my training and the challenge and will give it my best. The key to success is to focus, to think positive, to be disciplined, to work hard and to be self-confident.
I am sure that my grandfather, who I never met, believed in this when he embarked in Hong Kong in 1936 at the start of his great adventure that would take him to the Caribbean.
