Profiles of Local Sports People

Mario Santos Costa

How I got into this sport!

Mario is on the left in this photograph.

I have always been a very sporty person through out my life participating at everything at school and mainly playing football outside. I was told about a campaign that UK Sport set up which was called Sporting Giants. Sir Steve Redgrave was running the scheme so I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down as he is Britain's greatest Olympian. They were looking for tall (6.3ft) or taller talented sportsmen and woman to apply. 4,000 people applied and matched the criteria where we were all tested around the country for various sports. I went to a trial day and did lots of testing and waited to hear back from them. I was then approached by GB Canoeing who invited me and 30+ others for further trials and tests. I had never even heard of the sport before let alone doing it! I made it through to the final 10 athletes where we had to complete a 5 week training camp. After this long, challenging and exhausting period I was finally selected officially to train full time with 5 others with the GB team in canoeing on a Fast Track program. I am still now on the program 2 years on and am still hunting down the goal which is to represent my country at the 2012 Olympic Games in London!

This year I believe I had a good season. I trained hard and raced to the best of my ability. I did have an injury which did pull me back a little to prevent me achieve better than I could. As I am on a Fast Track program I have to learn and train double as much as a normal athlete due to the London 2012 Olympics is only a short time away so injuries will occur sometime as that's sport.

This year I raced in two International Regattas in France which was very good experience for me to take forward. The competition was very tough making me realise what a step up I have to make to reach my goal. I also raced in the National regattas every month which is based at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. My performances were to a good standard in both C1 and C2 events but I am never happy as I always want to strive for better. The June Regatta was a crucial time for me as I had to perform well to be selected for the C2 at the Under 23 Europeans. I raced fairly well but because of my shoulder Injury which held me back I was unable to be selected. This has only made me hungrier to achieve next year as well as make other competitions such as World Cups and Senior Competitions.

Mario is in the rear of the front boat.

I am now fully fit and recovered from my injury. Since our racing season finished we had sometime off to relax. We started back training end of August where winter training begins, nice and early to get ahead of the game. I train 6 days a week 3-4 times a day which involves a mix of different sessions from water base, gym and cardio training. Every day consists of training at 8 till 10-11 depending on the sessions. Go home for recovery eat and sleep then train again at 3 till 5-6 go home eat and sleep, so I lead a very strict and exciting life! Our coach pushes us to the limit every week and makes us train on the edge so we progress as quickly as possible.

I am still looking to buy a new boat which will help me perform better due to my boat being to light for my size and weight. I do receive funding but this is only enough to just get me through the month for food, rent etc. So I would like to say a very big thank you for the support I've received already from family, friends and Stevenage community trust.