Iara Rocha became champion of European Figure Skating at the age of nine. The winning debut in international competitions was decisive. “At that moment, I realized that the beauty of this sport was a passion”. Today, she studies Management, defines herself as “an athlete with well-defined principles and objectives” who “values ​​opportunities”.

In the normal season he trains four days a week, in the competition phase he trains six days, with two daily sessions, in the Custóias pavilion.

She believes that the practice of this sport has changed her life. “Over time, we feel that the responsibility that is assigned to us, helps us to be more independent and committed. Work requires us to know how to use and organize time, in a more careful way, to have a better ability to relate to others and to value companionship. The downside is that there is little free time, making it difficult to reconcile studies with social life ”, she explains.

Last year, she fulfilled her ambitious goal of becoming runner-up in the world, having been the first Portuguese athlete to win a place on the podium at World Figure Skating championships.

The next goal is to participate in world competitions, at the senior level, and to be world champion. When you are competing you want to “demonstrate all the work done, over months, and offer a unique show that allows people to disconnect a little from their day-to-day”.

She reconciles academic and sporting life, “thanks to effort and dedication”, with the awareness that “these days, we are increasingly prepared to be versatile”.

Attending the first year of her degree in Management, Iara Rocha considers the university as the “second home” and is surprised by the solidary “academic spirit”. Parents are her daily inspiration, because “they are the ones who make life possible. I take and help me with everything I need. They are tireless and fighting people and many of my successes are due to the confidence they give me ”.