Reyes Pla comes from a hard morning of work at the gym. The afternoon session, an hour of technique, starts in a few minutes. Three years have passed since the judges prevented him from returning from Tokyo with a medal. “Now we know how to handle pressure a little better. We know what not to do so that the referees are not against us”. The boxer is more mature, he is hungrier, more experienced and has even changed his religion. He is no longer a Christian, but a Muslim. “I saw that there were things more in line with me. He is the same God, but in another culture. People think no, but up there there is something that helps you and drives you. “You have to train hard, but God’s help pushes you to win and do things well.”
This is a hitting sport, you can’t come here and fool around
Their preparation to arrive in Paris in the best conditions is strict. “I train seven days a week. On Wednesdays and Saturdays only one session, the rest of the days we do two. Tuesday and Thursday we do physical work in the morning and the rest of the days we do technical work. The days are hard. There are many hours here to be in the best conditions. What is missing now is work and more work to reach Paris in optimal conditions and seek the gold medal“, he confesses smiling shortly before entering the ring.
Reyes Plá poses for MARCA after training.BRAND
The secret to being a champion
Tokyo’s wound has not yet healed. “We are preparing to spend three rounds hitting constantly. We cannot leave the referee in doubt as to whether he will vote us against or in favor. I want the referees to see that I’m beating him up.“says the Prophet. “I have been dreaming of gold since I was five years old. The biggest rival is myself. I see myself up there yes or yes. Gold is the best and if there is something higher I will go for it too“.
Up there (in the ring there are no friends, there is no friendship
Reyes Plá left Cuba pursuing a dreameither. Part of his family was in Galicia and he wanted to get there, but it wasn’t easy for him. He flew to Russia, but entering the European Union was an odyssey. He had to spend a month in a German prison, but his suffering was worth it. His mental strength is enviable. “You have to be focused. This is a hitting sport, you can’t come here and fool around. This is sport. You have to have a good time and not come with a bitter face,” she emphasizes. “There are no friends up there, there is no friendship… When we came down we greeted each other, but not above the ring. My mentality is fierce, I think I’m going to finish you off. This is a combat sport and everyone wants victory. “I have to be calm and collected, but also with a warrior’s mind.”
Reyes Plá with the MARCA editor.
After the afternoon training, the Prophet is satisfied. He has suffered, his coach demands of him, but he feels like a beast. Ready to “tear off heads”, tired, but with motivation through the roof in search of Olympic gold.
