“I want to return to Venezuela with an Olympic medal”

A new date with history will be the one that will take place in the Paris 2024 Olympic Gamesthe gold medalist of London 2012the Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo. And the Bolivarian who already has a place in Olympus, will continue to enlarge his legend, and will become, along with table tennis player Fabiola Ramos, the only two Creole athletes to have participated in this type of sporting event five times in a row.

Beyond this fact, the golden swordsman assures that he is fine-tuning details to arrive in the best possible condition and shape for the competition that will open on July 26 and run until August 11. His goal will be none other than to conquer the top of the podium, for which he has been working hard.

“We have had some very intense training sessions. We are going all out to win a medal. We are going to fight for it and improve the result of the World Championships, where we achieved a historic bronze for Venezuela.”“He said this exclusively for Analytics.com from Switzerland Limardo, following remembering the metal that together with his brothers Francisco and Jesus, as well as Gabriel Lugothe men’s epee team was crowned in Vancouver, Canada, in December 2023.

The current number 11 in the world rankings, assures that in the Parisian event he will not only fight for the medal in the individual category, but also in the team category.

“There are great chances of winning a medal. Everything will depend on how everything goes in Paris. By winning two fights, we are practically in the final and that would guarantee us a medal.“, the 38-year-old fencer reiterated.

A dream come true

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The Limardo dynasty has been preparing for a long time to achieve this long-awaited dream. The three brothers who are part of the men’s epee team will be able to represent Venezuela in an Olympic event. This is Francis’ third experience (Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016), While for Jesús it will be his first Olympic foray, as well as for Lugo, who although he is not a blood relative of theirs, is considered a member of their family.

“I don’t know if my mother dreamed of this moment, but it came to us.“, said Rubén proudly, following remembering his deceased mother Noris Gascón.

He also indicated that since they started working on this team, the goal for a long time was this, to be able to compete in an Olympic event.

“I’m sure it will be a very nice experience. The three of us have already participated in almost all the events, as well as Gabriel Lugo, who is like another brother to me, in other competitions. They will experience this for the first time and will see it in a different way. I have already been there and my goal is to return to Venezuela with a medal. I want us to be able to achieve this individually and as a team, the idea is that we can celebrate together.”, emphasizes Limardo.

Fine-tuning details

The Olympic champion confessed that he has been getting back into his rhythm, however, he feels that there is still something missing.There is something I can’t find. I’m going little by little.”.

And in a competition as big as Paris 2024, there is no room for error, which is why the start of the event is getting closer and the practices are becoming more demanding.

“I still haven’t achieved the fencing condition that I like. This camp we’re doing in Switzerland has been more of a training ground for us. I’m still working on some things that I need to find the fencing that I like. The goal is to get to the Olympic Games in the best possible condition, without injuries, without problems, focused on the work.“, he explained.

He reiterated that At all the events he goes to compete, he always attends with the firm purpose of conquering the podium.He recalled that in the last three World Cups in which he has participated he was placed in the tableau of 16, in another he was placed in 8th and in the last one they finished fifth, since they lost the pass to the final of the event once morest Israel.The idea is to advance and fight for positions, we have won the necessary battles and that is what gives us the motivation and confidence to achieve the goals we want.”.

Paris 2024 in sight

All of the demanding training that Limardo and the men’s epee team have been doing has been geared towards careful planning, avoiding injuries, and great physical preparation, all with the aim of conditioning the body to arrive at the Paris competition in the best possible condition.

The individual épée event will be held on July 28, while the team event will be held on August 2.

Although statistically he does not handle the numbers around the classification of other Creole athletes to the great sporting event, Limardo maintains that all those who obtained their place in these Games will be there because they have proven to be among the best in the world..

In the same way regretted the fact that the world triple jump queen, Yulimar Rojas, cannot be in Paris, since he is recovering from surgery following the injury he suffered with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

“We know that she was a sure winner of the gold medal, although you never know what can happen at the Olympic Games. She was the sure winner of the medal that Venezuela might have. We also have the weightlifters, Keydomar (Vallenilla) and Julio (Mayora) who are the horses, and of course the men’s épée team, as well as other athletes.“, he said, following reiterating that in the French capital they will be supporting all Creole athletes.

After recalling what happened with Yulimar’s injury, Rubén Limardo, indicated that It is a situation that he has gone through on several occasions.so much so that he has had three knee operations and has had to be absent for several months and even for almost a year.

He stressed that the possibilities of injuries will always be there, however, “We must try to avoid it and try to have a very good preparation. Unfortunately, Yulimar will not be there and the country as such has become accustomed to depending on her, however I think there are other athletes who can achieve it and we hope that the results will come.”.

Limardo was emphatic in assuring that in view of the next Olympic route towards Los Angeles 2026, general work should be done “more in terms of increasing the number of athletes, results and being able to be at the top, not only for one sport, but in many, so that Venezuela can be fighting for more medals”.

There is no withdrawal for now

Regarding his possible retirement from the podiums, the London 2012 Olympic champion indicated that everything will depend on Paris 2024, however, for now He plans to remain an active athlete for at least one or two more years.

“I want to continue to accompany this team that is achieving great results and to be there, to continue this path and win more medals, that is not a bad thing. I enjoy fencing for results and always in favor of working as a team, which is the most exciting thing.“, he reiterated.

For now, their focus and energies are on ensuring that everything goes as planned in Paris 2024, so that they can return to the country with a medal hanging in their hands and face the coming seasons with greater peace of mind.

He also confessed that he has other personal projects in mind, one of them is aimed at promoting fencing in various parts of the country, of course also helping in this sport in his native Bolívar.I will continue working for Venezuelan fencing and as an athlete“, he concluded.