Amanda Cerna is definitely one of the great athletes of Team ParaChile. In 2019 she was the youth world champion of the 400 meter dash in Switzerland and at the Parapan American Games in Lima she obtained the gold medal in the same event.
At 22, Amanda has dominated in the various national and international competitions that she has attended. In fact, in her first Paralympic Games in Rio 2016, at just 18 years old, “Mandy” achieved 4th place in the 400 meter dash event.
Today, the Para athlete from Castro is training in the best way to face 2021, the year in which he will seek to classify Tokyo in the only test that remains to be entered: the 100 meter dash. "The Paralympic level in my category has risen a lot, so the competitions are very close.", Says the national athlete who is already classified in the 200 and 400 meters.
After this important challenge, Amanda wants to focus on improving her brands and staying within the top ten in the world ranking, in order to face Santiago 2023, one of the most anticipated events for the sprinter.
I always envision it as a great event. There is time to continue training and for people to be encouraged to go to the competitions to support. I imagine the stadiums full. I think the theme of the organization, inauguration and competitions will be very nice. I'm excited to think about what it's going to be like and have very high expectations for it. It will be a dream to be able to compete at home and I hope I can achieve important achievements for myself and the country.
Yes, I want to improve what Lima was, where I managed to win a silver medal. The truth is that I dream of achieving a better position at home, it would be wonderful. Also competing in Santiago means feeling a different energy and having a very great motivation, that of entering the track and that the majority of the public is from your country. I think it will be something wonderful and the family that is here in Chile will be faithfully supporting.
I believe that there are many benefits and in terms of Paralympic sport as well. Being able to show what we athletes and the Paralympic movement are made of, that people know us more. It is also a very nice opportunity to see and recognize the work that athletes do in the country. On the other hand, I also think it is important to highlight the fact that Chile is organizing the Pan American and Parapan American Games, which will enhance sports culture.
The biggest now is the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. For that, the classification is already ready in 200 and 400 meters and we also aim to be within the top 10 in the world ranking. My next challenges will start in Dubai in February, then in March we will be competing in Brazil, and perhaps in May or June we will be in one or two more competitions before the Games. For now, my mind is focused on what's next in Dubai.
