“I shouldn’t give up my personal life for sport” | Relief

Spanish water polo’s explosion of happiness over winning Olympic gold in Paris, the dream of the legendary women’s team, is over and the club season is back. Another cycle of change is underway… And some exceptional news, such as that of Judith Forca (Sabadell, 1996), pregnant and who will become a mother at the age of 28 in 2025. The swimmer wanted to be a young mother, even if she was in the prime of her career, and she talked about it with her partner and they set out to achieve another of her dreams – Olympic gold. And in September the process of change began, because everything happened “very quickly.”

The story of Forky, the best left foot in the world, champion of seven Champions Leagues with CN Sabadell, present in all the successes of the national team since 2014 and dreaming of reaching Los Angeles in 2028. breaks the taboo of being a mother at the zenith of her career, talks about worries and fears, as well as the help of clubs and the federation. And based on advice from, for example, Ona Carbonell, who went through this process before the Tokyo Games. Forka also reports an unknown injury that kept him on the ropes ahead of Paris, and that doesn’t guarantee he’ll return to chlorine in better conditions.

More than three months have passed since this success. What is your impression of the gold won in Paris?

The image is when the game ends, I see my teammates, I see their happy faces after the difficult year we had with the European Championships, the World Championships, the Games… We made a dream come true. I turned around and saw Maika Garcia crying. I also cried because I was emotional. This exceeded my dream. And then see your family in the stands…

Have you ever believed that you would never succeed?

We trained so well, we gave our best all year, we were calmer than at any championship. But we already know that at the Games you never know for sure. I liked this competition the most.

And I don’t think the semi-finals against the Netherlands were that pleasant…

I still get goosebumps… It was impossible to imagine winning with a six-goal lead, but then things got complicated and we went to penalties. We were dead. I remember we were all focused on Miki saying, “I don’t care, I can’t take this anymore, but I have to win.”

You had to endure difficult preparations and the Games due to a back injury that even forced you to sleep face down. What was this process like?

I have had this injury for three years now and every three months I have to undergo infiltration. I have a broken vertebra, it touches the sciatic nerve and immobilizes my left leg. But in March, after the European Championships and the World Championships, they no longer affected me. I could neither sleep nor walk, I stood for five minutes and had to sit down. He had to sleep face down with his hands on his hips. I talked to the doctors and they burned my sciatic nerve. And then the pain stopped. I was able to train and made it to the Games well.

Were you afraid to perform in Paris?

The operation took place in March. Or maybe it didn’t work. After three weeks it should improve, but I did not notice this improvement. I was getting ready to have dinner and crying in pain. I thought I wouldn’t make it to the Games. Everyone helped me – both the club and the national team. Two weeks before the Games I could not perform contact exercises. I had a really bad time, but I tried it before the trip, against China, and it felt good. What a joy after all the effort.

In the background there is a discussion about health and high productivity. Was surgery never an option?

My problem was that if I went into the operating room to fix my spine, I would no longer be able to play water polo. The doctor advised me to stop for three months to see how my injury went, whether the pain was a result of my normal life or if it was due to training four hours a day. If the discomfort continued, I would have to have surgery and say goodbye to water polo… Now I feel much better than last season, but at night I sometimes notice some discomfort.

And when and how did you do it?

I don’t know when I did it. One day my leg went numb and I went to get tested and the MRI results showed it. If I had surgery, I would have to stop. Therefore, after the Games I was forced to stop for three months.

This season is empty for you due to pregnancy. Was this what you were looking for?

I have long had the idea of ​​becoming a mother, as has my partner. I couldn’t wait. I wanted to start a family, but I also wanted to become an Olympic champion. And it was set in Paris. I was also motivated by the fact that my family was going, because in Rio it was impossible due to the distance, but in Tokyo it was impossible. I meant it. We won gold, I talked to my partner about it and we saw that the time had come. I could continue later, go to Los Angeles… And it came quickly.

It’s not often you see athletes take this step in the prime of their careers. What thoughts does this make you think?

I think I wanted to be a young mother and I did, but just because you play sports doesn’t mean you have to give up your personal life. I saw an opportunity this year, it came very quickly, I thought due to the stress of the Games it would take a while, but no. Now to rest, enjoy my pregnancy and return to the water when the doctor allows me. The question is, did you go to Paris pregnant? No, I haven’t thought about that yet. It was very fast and everything happened right then.

And how will you convey this to the national team and the club? What did they tell you?

It was a difficult moment. I must inform both CN Sabadell and the national team about this very soon. I need to say this without your family finding out about it from anyone other than you. My parents knew, but then I had to tell coach Miki Oka and the president of my club. I told them that I needed a few days to keep it a secret because the first three months are risky. And then we will make it public. Everyone helped and respected me.

How long will you continue training?

The doctor and my condition will determine this for me, but from Monday to Friday I train in the morning. I go to the gym with my teammates, I can swim and pass… but there is no contact. I miss it because swimming is not my thing…

Will you receive all the help from the club and ADO?

I’m on leave from the club because I can’t play. With a national team, whatever it takes, an ADO and a medal scholarship.

When do you plan to compete again?

I would like to start in September, but it will depend on the doctor and how we feel. When I can, I will jump into the water.

Have you asked advice from athletes who have experienced a similar situation?

I spoke with Ona Carbonell. She told me how she felt, how she did it, and advised me, if it was my dream, to do it so that I wouldn’t regret it and then I could play again. And that my age was good to be able to return without problems. I called her because I know her and I know she will give me good advice. I had the opportunity to see what she experienced and get her point of view. And this helped me make a decision.

Now you will be the most loyal viewer of Can Llong. One more year to win the Champions League?

We have the best team, they are good players, they are doing well… But I felt bad in the stands. I even have a ball of stress from the tension. But I’m calm because they will do it very well.

What remains of the anticipation generated by your Olympic gold?

It has become diluted… There used to be a boom of Olympic champions, but now there is less talk. It’s a shame. We went down in history, and few people remember us. Sometimes there are 30 people in the stands. But we will continue to fight, train and gain recognition.