2023-06-27 18:25:47
Gianfranco Monteagudo knows what it is to earn the mango. He learned it as a child in his house in the Altamira neighborhood. But raising $5,000 in just over two weeks to fulfill his dream of “representing the country and raising the flag as high as possible” is something that exceeds it.
He is 22 years old, has been doing judo since he was 6 and was selected to represent the country in the University Olympic Games to be held in Chengdu (China) from July 28 to August 8.
That his name appears on the list of the Argentine delegation fills him with pride, but also with responsibilities: he has to pay for the trip out of his own pocket. And he has until Friday to buy a ticket that confirms his “OK” to the call.
The emotion and impotence of Gianfranco Monteagudo
Gianfranco gets excited when talking regarding this possibility of representing the country. And he breaks his voice. The impotence to feel that his dream might vanish moves him. He doesn’t have it easy.
At the age of 22, he studies veterinary medicine in Río Cuarto. His parents help him with the rent, but he works as a waiter on weekends in a catering service to pay the rest of the expenses.
Gianfranco Monteagudo from Cordoba needs support to compete in the University Olympic Games. (Carolina Madrid / Argentine Judo Confederation)
He never took his body out of work. Even less, when his family needed him most.
“My dad was a baker all his life, and with my mom they made a company of children’s castles. But with the pandemic we melted down and I went out to sell gel alcohol. We subsist. Little by little, everything improved and a possibility arose with a bakery in the Inaudi neighborhood, called La Roseta. That and my mom’s cotillion are my big sponsors ”, he sums up.
Like never before, the need for other people to support him emerges urgently.
Gianfranco Monteagudo’s request for support
On Monday the Cordovan had to initially confirm his presence in China. But he managed to get the deadline extended until Friday.
“I am looking everywhere for help. It hurts me to feel that all my effort is worthless. How can it be that the story of a boy who has been working, has been studying, has been sacrificing himself in everything, has no value… It does not seem fair to me because one is going to represent the country and will always try to leave the Argentine Flag as much as possible ”, he reflects painfully.
Gianfranco Monteagudo from Cordoba needs support to compete in the University Olympic Games. (Carolina Madrid / Argentine Judo Confederation)
But Gianfranco is also grateful. And it is that he -he assures- “never” felt “as accompanied as now”. “Thank God I have had a little help from people, I have never felt so supported, so accompanied as now, by people I know, people I am friends with. Everyone is making the effort so that I can go ”, he assesses.
The history of Gianfranco Monteagudo in judo
The Cordovan approached judo in primary school, when he was studying at Santo Tomás. His teacher saw his qualities and “Gianchu” reinforced his initiation in the Endurance Club and later, in the Hindu.
In Río Cuarto he trains at Central Argentino, and when he comes to Córdoba he likes to add training in different dojos “to acquire their techniques, their work modalities from each one…”. The Cruces Team, the Dojo Maldonado or the InClub usually receive this Cordovan who competes in the category is up to 66 kilos and was on the podium in the last Provincial and was seventh in Seniors in the Formosa National and fifth in kiu graduates.
“To go to Formosa I also worked to pay for the trip. The truth is that studying, training and working, being able to compete and finish fifth and seventh for me is very valuable ”, she highlights.
To help Gianfranco Monteagudo
Instagram and Facebook: Gianfranco Monteagudo
Gmail: [email protected]
Payment Market Account: Gian.Judo.Olimpicos
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