Loena Hendrickx: “If you haven’t trained on a physical level, it’s difficult to stay mentally strong. I’m proud that I’m standing here and a 4th place is still good, but not good enough.”
Translation of Loena Hendrickx’s comments about 2024 World Championships.
original source: sporza.be dd. 23d. March 2024
Here’s a translation of Loena’s comments made in the interview with Sporza.
“Of course, I have mixed feelings now. There was much more potential when I looked at the scores. My free program wasn’t good, it was far below my level,” she said.
“I had slept well, but when I woke up, tears welled up in my eyes from nerves. I don’t know why, I’ve never had that before.” A call with mental coach seemed to help, but things quickly went wrong for Hendrickx during the routine. “My first jump wasn’t good, my head was not at its best,” she explains.
“I did my first jump as a double instead of a triple. But that double jump is in my program twice more and you can only do it twice. So I had to start puzzling as to how I could adjust my jumps in order to score as many points as possible. That made my head go crazy.”
“That lingers in the back of your mind,” she admits that not being fully trained affected her mentally. “If you haven’t trained on a physical level, it’s difficult to stay mentally strong.”
“My body is just really done. I’m a competitive person, so normally I could pull it off one more time… It’s just a pity. With better preparation, I might have been able to perform better. I’m proud that I’m standing here and a 4th place is still good, but not good enough.”
“My peak was at the European Championships, that was my big goal,” says Hendrickx. “To have accomplished that was very nice. But after that, my body was exhausted. I’ve had a very difficult period: 3 weeks ago, I was nothing. To still recover from that and finish 4th is very nice. Only I know how difficult it’s been. People at home don’t see that,” said Loena.
“It wasn’t easy, so I’m glad I’m standing here and that I participated. Although I couldn’t show today that there was more in me.”
Regarding the well-deserved rest, she said “I’m going to recharge and will be back next season with a big smile and a lot of passion.”
With the 2026 Winter Olympics as the ultimate goal? “That’s what I’m aiming for. And if my body can take it, I see myself continuing for even longer. I don’t see myself stopping yet.”
Related topics: Loena Hendrickx, world championship
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