European title, second at the world championships and the partner becomes coach: Elena Quirici’s exciting year 2023

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In Schinznach-Bad in Aargau, hidden in the basement of the fire brigade shop, is Elena Quirici’s gem: her own karate dojo. A dozen children run laps barefoot on the red and blue floor mats, some in the typical white karate clothes, which they have tied with a yellow or white belt. When a shrill whistle blows, they jump up and keep running. Elena Quirici (29) sets the pace. Multiple European karate champion, Olympic participant and recently vice world champion.

The children who are taught in Quirici’s dojo look up to their teacher and follow her career closely. “You see every newspaper article that appears about me,” says the woman from Aargau after class. Quirici has been teaching children and young people of all ages here in Schinznach-Bad for almost a year. Having your own karate school is a dream come true. She is supported in teaching by her partner Raúl Cuerva Mora. Quirici and Mora make a well-rehearsed team. Not only in children’s karate, but also when it is serious.

From friend to coach

Since this year, Mora is not only Quirici’s life and business partner, but also her coach. The former world-class karateka gave up his active career for this. A step that did not come entirely easily to him: “If you are suddenly competing and people you have recently defeated are winning medals, that is difficult.”

The fear that the relationship would suffer from the new division of roles also haunted the Spaniard’s mind. “In the beginning it was difficult not to take the criticism personally during the training.” Elena Quirici agrees: “We had to draw clear boundaries between our private relationship and our relationship as an athlete and coach.”

Many people had doubts about the special constellation, says the woman from Aargau. It was feared that the emotional bond between coach and athlete would be a disruptive factor. ‘But I don’t see it that way. Raúl knows me incredibly well. He doesn’t want to change my style, he accepts me as I am.” The success that the couple celebrated this year as an athlete-coach team proves that they are right.

Emotional European Championship title

When the Schinznacher reached a European Championship final for the first time in four years in March, “we celebrated as if Elena had won gold,” says her coach. When Quirici became European champion in the final after a decisive decision by the jury, she was unstoppable. “You were crying!” the martial artist recalls, laughing. “It was very nice to be hugged by your partner immediately after the victory.” “As a couple, this win somehow felt more emotional and passionate,” Mora added.

The emotional situation in the World Cup final at the end of October was somewhat different. Quirici narrowly missed gold. Which made her friend blush. ‘I don’t like losing! Elena fought so well and clearly deserved the win. “I got angry,” explains Raúl Cuerva Mora. “Typical Spanish blood,” Quirici interjects with a wink.

Although the two always try to ignore their private relationship during training, Mora sometimes brings the same hot-bloodedness into the dojo. “If we have a fight at home, Elena may have to do twenty more push-ups during training than others.” No problem for the three-time individual European champion: “He is sometimes very strict with me, but I can deal with that.” Martial arts completely determine the couple’s lives. At home it can sometimes happen that the subject of karate is taboo. “Sometimes when I’m preparing for a match I have to say to Raúl, ‘Okay, stop now.’”

Bitter: Karate is no longer Olympic

After the turbulent 2023, a somewhat quieter year follows for the successful couple. The Summer Games in Paris are no problem for Quirici, because karate is no longer Olympic. That is bitter, because the Aargau resident would have qualified this year a long time ago with her top performances. ‘It’s very sad. I would be physically and mentally stronger than ever before.” But for the karateka, participation in Tokyo in 2021 will be her first and only one yet.

“It’s a shame for the entire sport, for all the athletes who invest so much. But we cannot change it,” says Raúl Cuerva Mora. The two don’t want to think too much about this decision. Other tasks await the team. For example, the European Championships in Spain in May or four World Cups. And then there is the karate school, which is constantly growing. The karate couple will never be bored for a moment in 2024.

Source : Blick