Loena Hendrickx: “It’s almost unbelievable what I’ve managed to achieve. I’m really proud of myself, but that realization only comes after I’ve had a setback.”
Loena Hendrickx Rediscovers Her Confidence: “I Want to Give It My All This Season”
original source: Sporza dd. October 22, 2025
After a challenging season filled with self-doubt, Loena Hendrickx has rediscovered her confidence and joy in skating, setting clear goals for her third Winter Olympics: to leave it all on the ice and truly enjoy the journey. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Sporza.
She doubted herself, briefly lost her love for the sport, but then found her drive again. Following a difficult season, Loena Hendrickx is back – smiling, brimming with self-confidence, and with a clear goal in mind: “This season, I want to give it my all and enjoy the process.” Speaking on Sportweekend, she reflected on her struggles over the past year and shared her excitement for her third Winter Olympics.
Radiant as ever, Hendrickx recently walked the catwalk in Team Belgium’s Olympic outfit, confident after qualifying for the Games. Her smile now masks the fear she experienced over the past year that she might not make it this far again. “It’s almost unbelievable what I’ve managed to achieve,” Hendrickx said with a smile. “I’m really proud of myself, but that realization only comes after I’ve had a setback.”
The Belgian figure skater, who has captured medals at several major competitions over the past few years, admitted that her success once felt like an unattainable dream. “Just being able to compete was always a dream. To now look back at all that I’ve achieved is truly amazing.”
Despite her accomplishments, last year was a tough one. “There was little positivity,” she admitted. “Competitions didn’t go the way I wanted, and it made me anxious. I’m someone who cares too much about what others think of me. I had to learn to let that go.”
“I wanted to prove to myself – and to everyone else – that I could still do it. I make all of Belgium proud, and the immense support I receive touches me deeply. That’s why I want to give something back to the people who cheer for me.”
Having gained so much experience over the years, Hendrickx now understands the challenges of elite sports. “I still find it difficult to deal with stress,” she admitted. “You never know how your body will respond during those crucial minutes when you need to perform. That’s why I’m trying to think less about ‘I must succeed.’ You just have to trust that you’re ready in that moment.”
Last month, Hendrickx secured her spot at her third Winter Olympics. Reflecting on her journey, she recalled her debut at Pyeongchang 2018, where she competed as an 18-year-old. “Back then, I found everything amazing, but looking back, I realize I didn’t enjoy it enough. I wanted to make up for that in China, but the pandemic held me back. This time, I really want to embrace the moment, enjoy everything around it, and take pride in how far I’ve come.”
Now nearly 26 years old, Hendrickx is acutely aware that the end of her competitive career is approaching, and that reality weighs heavily on her. “Last year, I thought it was over,” she admitted. “I didn’t think I’d ever perform at this level again. Was it all worth it?”
“But here I am again, and this season, I truly want to give it my all. I want to be able to look back and say that I left no stone unturned, that I achieved more than I ever dreamt of. For me, that will be the ultimate highlight.”
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