Juan Carlos Cabrera (MEX)

Already well entrenched in the Mexican national team, Juan Carlos Cabrera fit study at the National University of Mexico into his training. Cabrera has rowed at the under-23 and senior level and his best result so far internationally is an A-final finish at the 2013 World Rowing Under 23 Championships. 

World Rowing: Tell us about how you started rowing.
Juan Carlos Cabrera: It was five years ago at the National University of Mexico. I played American football before for five years. And then I decided to try rowing.

WR: Why did you stay with rowing?
JCC: It is a very interesting sport. There is so much passion and excitement.

WR: What is your favourite boat to row?
JCC: I like the single. And also the men’s eight. In the Pan American Games I rowed in the eight.

WR: Where do you train?
JCC: Right now I am training with the national team, there are about 20 of us.  We do two training sessions per day, seven days a week.

WR: What are you studying?
JCC: I am studying communications. I hope to be able to be working and rowing together for a few years.

WR: What do you want to achieve in rowing?
JCC: Ah, the goal for me is the Olympic Games. Right now, I’ll look to Rio, then maybe Tokyo (2024) and then working.

WR: How do you balance work, studying and rowing?
JCC: It is difficult, but it’s possible. I just have a cycle, work, study, row, sleep and do it over again routine.  But I study at 50 per cent so that helps me to balance as well. I have three more years at university.

WR: Do you have any other hobbies?
JCC: I like to go to the cinema, read and then .. lots of rowing.