Barba: “It will forever be my most important victory!”

Nicoleta Barba continues to make history and raise the Greek flag high. The Greek champion won the bronze medal in the European U20 championship and doubled her successes in the top competition of ancient Epirus.

This medal came with a lot of…pain, effort and sweat as Barba had to undergo two knee surgeries. Nevertheless, he overcame them and showed that he is made of… winner metal!

Nicoletta Barma talked about her huge success, her injury and her next plans.

Read her interview in detail

Nicoletta, congratulations, you won the bronze medal in the European championship. A huge success. How do you feel about this success?

“Thank you very much! I am very happy, proud and grateful to have won the medal. The second European medal I’ve won!”

At the event you were amazing and showed that very soon we will expect even bigger things from you. Did you feel ready for the medal?

“Mentally and psychologically I was more prepared than ever as I knew that we managed the whole situation in the best possible way, even though I did not complete my training cycle as I would have liked and should have.”

Is this medal special to you? Since you went through your own Golgotha, because of your injury, to conquer it?

“Perhaps it will forever be my most important victory! I know very well, like all athletes, that injuries have a leading role in the life of the championship. But this year was something unprecedented for me! Two surgeries, in 5 months, on the same knee… anxiety, fear, anxiety, despair, ignorance, pain… feelings that accompany me to this day. It was an experience that became a life lesson! I was able to overcome myself both physically and mentally, and I never stopped believing in him. Whenever this medal is just the reward for the “win” of the year! Really the misfortune of 04/10/2022 made me understand the “power” I have. I am grateful to fight again and now I want a full recovery from the knee problem”

How important to you is the fact that for the second European competition in a row you won a medal?

“It is very important and I am grateful for it! First God with work and will and above all health I will try the next one to be another color.”

What is your next goal?

“Such a success gives you great motivation to continue. My wish is to be able to have a good preparation and get on the podium in the big competitions that follow”

Where would you like to dedicate the medal?

“I would like to dedicate this to those who were and stayed by my side! I would also like to thank my parents, coaches and our federation. God first the best comes!”