Colombian triple jumper Caterine Ibarguen (© Getty Images)
World champion Caterine Ibarguen climbed to fifth on the world all-time list for the women’s triple jump with her monster leap of 15.31m at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Monaco.
The 30-year-old Colombian answers our work, rest and play questions.
Caterine at work
What is your favourite training session?
Caterine Ibarguen: Technical training. In those training sessions I can see how much I am improving.
What is your least favourite training session?
CI: Running, conditioning training and winter training.
What are your three favourite things about being an athlete?
CI: One is the friendships you make. Two is the travelling, and the third thing is being an athlete allows me to discover my own limits.
Who is your favourite training partner?
CI: Colombian 100m champion Eliecet Palacios. When I run together with her, running is not so bad anymore.
Where is your favourite training venue?
CI: I have two; Medellin in Colombia because of the people, the climate and because I feel at home there. The other is San Juan in Puerto Rico because the athletes and the people are very friendly and hospitable and the country is very beautiful.
What is your favourite music to train to?
CI: Reggae because it helps get me in the mood to be active.
Caterine at rest
Where is your perfect place to relax?
CI: Uraba, Colombia, where I come from. I feel at home there because of my family and friends.
Describe your perfect day without training.
CI: I would sleep until 10am.I would then have breakfast, go shopping, have lunch, shop some more, go to the cinema, sleep and dance.
What is your favourite stress reliever?
CI: Listening to music, it doesn’t matter what kind of music.
If you could pick any other athlete in the world with whom to relax, who would it be?
CI: Mabel Gay (the Cuban triple jumper and 2009 world silver medallist) because I admire her as an athlete and we have become good friends outside of competition.
What TV shows do you like to relax to?
CI: Game shows and series like Friends.
What is your favourite drink?
CI: Water because it is healthy. I don’t like to drink sugary drinks because I have to pay attention to my weight.
Caterine at play
When did your passion for dancing start?
CI: For as long as I can remember.
Did you ever dance competitively and, if so, what standard did you reach?
CI: I have never danced competitively, just for fun. In competition I would surely lose and I don’t like losing!
What is your favourite style of dance and how often do you dance today?
CI: Salsa; I do this a lot when I’m at home.
Which track and field athlete would you select as your perfect dance partner?
CI: Javier Culson (the two-time world 400m hurdles silver medallist) because he’s a friend of mine.
Who is your all-time favourite dancer?
CI: Shakira. Her dancing is great and do not forget she is Colombian.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
