Pre-competition athlete quotes – WIC Kujawy Pomorze 26

A selection of quotes from athletes training at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena Toruń on Wednesday (18) ahead of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26.

Isaac Nader (POR) – men’s 1500m

On his preparation and overall mood ahead of these championships: 

“My preparation was good but slightly different than previous years – definitely not as intense. I feel that I am in the best shape ever for this time of year. I believe that I’ll be competitive out there.” 

On arriving here with medals and titles on the World and European stage:

“In comparison to previous championships, the major difference this time around is my inner confidence. In the past – before proving ourselves to the world – sometimes it might have been the case that we wanted to do well but weren’t 100% sure we’d be able to deliver. As soon as you can back up your goals and ambitions with results on the track that becomes a turning point when you find yourself in the mix with the best athletes in the world.”   

On the successful partnership with Salome Afonso (his training and life partner):

“In the last few years, it has been pretty much the two of us; sometimes us two against the World like I often tend to say. Without each other, it would be almost impossible to compete at this high level we are currently doing.” 
 

Sarah Mitton (CAN) – women’s shot put

On coming in as the two-time defending champion:

“I approach these championships the same way I approached the last two. You are not guaranteed to win, so I am not coming in defending the title, I am here to throw as hard as I can. The goal for a lot of us here is to win but you cannot expect it.” 

On the upcoming competition:

“I think it is going to take over 20.50 to win, which we have not seen a lot indoors. For me, if I win, I would like to throw the meet record, which would be really amazing.” 

On competing indoors:

“I tend to throw well indoors, so I am really excited to be here. Throwing indoors is pretty much the same as throwing outdoors for me. The smaller sector does not bother me, since I throw pretty much down the middle. I am usually a little fresher indoors, without having travelled all over the world.” 

On the disadvantage of being a North American:

“Track and field mostly takes place in Europe so, coming from North America, you have to travel all the time. I competed once in Europe this winter and then went back home to recharge before these championships, but that was nothing compared to the amount of travel I do in the summer.“

Jessica Schilder (NED) – women’s shot put

On competing in Toruń again:

“I have been in this sports hall before and I have qualified for the Olympic Games with my first throw then so I have good memories.”

On her shape and expectations:

“This has been my best indoor season so far by distances thrown. I am really happy about that but, in the end, it all needs to fall into place on competition day, which is a bit scary. After winning bronze and silver medals at the World Indoors, now it’s time to win the gold. And the only pressure I feel is the one I create myself.”

On her expectations result-wise:

“Last year at the World Championships I said I would be happy if I throw 20.50m and finish fourth. Here, 20.60 or even a bit further will be needed for the podium. This is my mindset at the moment.”
 

Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR) – women’s 1500m 

On going for a first world title:

“I’m certainly capable but I think it’s going to be a really good race. There’s quite a lot of us who are very close together. Of the top five, any five of us could win on the day. But I feel in really good shape, I feel really positive, I’ve got a good team around me so yeah it’s just a really good opportunity.”

On switching between the 800m and 1500m:

“It’s actually an easier decision which to do indoors as the style of running an 800m indoors is get to the front, stay there and try to hold on until the end which is not how I run an 800m. So, it’s always going to be 1500m indoors. In the summer, we’ll wait and see. Last year, I was responding well to the 800m training so we kind of make a decision seeing how training goes. I think this year I’ll focus a bit more on the 1500m as it’s a bit more of an open year.”

On the boost of winning global medals:

“Every time the bar moves, you realise what’s possible. We have very high expectations as a team so what was a good session last year isn’t a good session this year. So, we’re constantly moving the goals up and up and up. But it’s cool to see that development. This time two years ago I was still working full time in tech sales and just quit my job after World Indoors to focus on running. So, I still feel like I’ve got a lot of development to do so it’s been cool to see it come together this winter.”

Emma Zapletalová (SVK) – women’s 400m

On how she feels in the Toruń Arena:

“I like this arena. I was here one month ago and I ran well. So, I am looking forward to competing here. I only have good experiences and memories from Toruń.”

On medal expectations from her Slovak team:

“There are many strong runners in the field, so no medal is guaranteed. There is the home star Natalia Bukowiecka, Lieke Klaver, Lurdes Gloria Manuel is also strong, as well as Heriette Jaeger. There are many of us with solid PBs this season, so it will be a battle.” 

On other challenges:

“The big challenge will be the double final. But you have three races so the road to the final will also be a challenge itself. However, I trust in myself and I am that kind of an athlete who usually pushes in the finish – that is my big advantage. So when in final, I only hope I will be in the faster race.”

 

Oleh Doroshchuk (UKR) – men’s high jump

On his indoor season so far:

“This indoor season wasn’t very special or impressive for me. None of the competitions finished as I expected. it was so hard for me to get back into shape all this winter. On other hand, I took all competitions as preparation for Toruń. So, the main things should go well here.”

On his jump over 2.30m at his national championships:

“Honestly, my attempt over 2.30 at the national indoors in Kyiv was the only jump this season when I felt that I’m finally getting close to my usual shape and I remembered my great feelings from the past a little bit.” 

On his expectations in Toruń:

“I don’t want to put huge pressure on my shoulders and I don’t want to set myself up for some medals or results. I was among the medal contenders at the previous championships but didn’t get on the podium. Right now, I just want to feel my jumps and to enjoy the competitions like this last event of the indoor season. Just have a look at our entry list, it’s so open with many new names. Maybe, I didn’t expect such an improvement from the Japanese high jumpers. They look really cool, even technically so I’m looking forward to competing with them and enjoying everything here.”

 

Gerson Balde (POR) – men’s long jump 

On coming to Poland ranked third on the entry list:

“This boosts my confidence. It just shows that I am able to jump that far, and I trust that I will be able to replicate it when it matters the most. I have high hopes for these indoor championships.” 

On looking more focused and calmer than ever before:

“Being in the top three of the entry list allows me to feel a lot calmer. There is no longer that urge to prove myself because I have already shown what I am capable of. Let’s see what happens on Sunday now that I feel more relaxed about being out there.” 

On being unlucky/unsuccessful at past championships: 

“That is sport in a nutshell. Results don’t always happen as we want. Some of it was likely down to me feeling nervous and anxious, something I have not been able to control in the past. I feel far better prepared this time and I am hoping that it will pay off.”  

On being at the same level or so close to Mattia Furlani and other top athletes:

“It is always a privilege to be part of that top group but we are all starting from the same place. It is a matter of showing who will be able to jump the furthest when it matters.”

 

Cooper Lutkenhaus (USA) – men’s 800m 

On his shape:

“I am in a really great shape leading to this week’s races. I am confident I can run faster than I have been running this year already. It all depends just on what type of the race we will run.” 

On his tactics in Toruń: 

“I believe I will need to push a bit extra in the heats, even faster than my World U20 record. To make the final and win it, it is going to take 1:43 or low 1:44. This is just the level of middle distance running right now.” 

On his confidence coming into the championships:

“We will see how I can advance through the rounds. I came here pretty confident after Tokyo. Being able to learn how everything works at a championships: the travel, the food and similar things. It makes me even more confident in myself and in what I can do. I just need to go out there and show it. Being one of the youngest athletes does not create any pressure for me. It actually makes me more excited.”

On potentially running three races three days in a row:

“Running three days in a row would not be a struggle for me. I have run a lot of races. I have run five races in two days before, so that is definitely not the biggest worry. I have to recover well between the rounds and to be as comfortable as I can be when I step on the start line.”

 

Paula Sevilla (ESP) – women’s 400m & 4x400m relay 

On dealing with the pressure and higher expectations after a successful indoor season and World Relays in 2025: 

“To be honest, I feel more pressure because both other people and I have higher expectations of what I could or should be achieving now. Last season, it was a complete shot in the dark and, at times, we weren’t sure what would happen. That allowed us to quite enjoy the process. I have managed to do it once, there is no reason why I can’t do it again.”  

On the difference between the 400m as an individual and part of the relay team:

“That is tough. If you mess up as an individual, you’re the only person being affected by it whereas, when you run as a team, they push you to do well but I feel conflicted about it. If you race well, it is an incredible feeling to share with the team. If you don’t, although the team will have your back, you can’t avoid that feeling of letting them down.” 

On the Spanish relay team making it to a national TV primetime talk show: 

“Last year was a very important one. People in general have started to acknowledge the sport for what it is worth. We’re on the right track now, especially considering that both our men’s and women’s relay teams have qualified for these championships. We have both the responsibility and the motivation to do well. Of course, we feel stronger when competing at European level, but we are ready to push each other as a team, and to bring our level up a notch here.” 

 

Salome Afonso (POR) – women’s 1500m 

On her preparation and overall mood ahead of these championships: 

“There’s a very positive energy here in Toruń. This is a great track – very fast – and it is almost impossible to feel anything other than being confident when you’re out here. We’re on track, and there’s little else we can do right now other than what we have prepared for. We’re going all in and this should be enough to be competitive.” 

On arriving here as a European medallist:

“This has definitely had a positive impact on how I’m feeling. I believe that previous wins should drive you forward to become more confident in what you can deliver. It allows me to have bigger goals and ambitions even though it doesn’t mean we can just skip any stage of the overall process. Our opponents are equally stronger, therefore it is a joint feeling among us all.”  

On the successful partnership with Isaac Nader (her training and life partner): 

“We are each other’s support system. Isaac has always been the driving force behind what I can do. At a competitive level, he has always believed in me – even more than I believe in myself – hence this journey feeling a lot smoother with him by my side. We’re in it together.”