David Cantero: “Winning my first World Cup in Valencia was incredible”

David Cantero last Saturday established himself as one of the greatest figures of the time in the Valencian triathlon. At the age of 20, he became the youngest Spanish triathlete to win a World Cup. He also did it at home in Valencia and in front of his friends, family, training partners… better, impossible. “Winning in Valencia was something incredible, the happiest day of my life. Winning my first world championship at home in Valencia is a dream come true.“, says the FER triathlete from Aldaya, who achieved victory in his strong point – the running segment, where he returned to become the first and win with a time of 1:41:10 in an exciting sprint. Cantero once again demonstrated his outstanding skills as an athlete., a sport in which he finished second in the European Under-20 Outdoor Championships in the 5000m. The Valencian, who started triathlon as a child, following in the footsteps of his father and brother, soon made a big bet on triathlon : “During the season I combined athletics and triathlon, but now it is not possible, because the triathlon calendar is very demanding. It was always clear to me that I wanted to dedicate myself to triathlon, I think I have a better chance of going far than in athletics. At the age of 9 I got my first triathlon federation license.”

Hard work reward

The victory in Valencia was the culmination of many years of work: “When I crossed the finish line, I saw my coach, Roberto Cejuela and I remembered all the work done, I thought that all the efforts were worth it, that this success confirms that I am worthy of the level to be with the best. David Cantero has always felt the heat of competition at home: “It was an incredible experience. Everyone was there: my family, my friends… throughout the tour I felt very supported.”

From Cheste to Alicante

At the age of 12, he was chosen to join the Cheste High Performance group, where he was coached by the current president of the Valencian Community Triathlon Federation, Vanessa Huesa. Soon Wesa saw a rough diamond in Cantero and was not mistaken. On Saturday, she proudly posed next to her student after winning the historic gold medal in Valencia: “Vanessa Huesa was one of the people who made me the most happy. She was very excited and so was I. At the age of 12, I entered Cheste. and I was there for 6 years, and all this time Vanessa was for me like a “mother” from Cheste. After passing through Cheste, from 2021 Cantero trains in Alicante with Roberto Cejuela’s elite group.

Paris on the horizon

The victory at the World Championships in Valencia put David in the race for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. A goal that seemed unattainable a few months ago, but after winning in Valencia seems achievable. Although it is very difficult, Cantero could have accompanied his training partner and friend Roberto Sánchez Mantecon, also from Valencia, to Paris. “The Paris games are a window that has opened up for me, but I don’t think about it too much. The three Spaniards currently ranked are in very good positions and it is very difficult to remove any of them. it’s not something I’m worried about right now because I’m young.”

special year

David Cantero is having a great 2023 and his World Series debut seems to be getting closer and closer. At the European Open Championships in Madrid, he finished seventh; he was fifth at the World Championships in Huatulco, Mexico; and finished 11th at the European Games in Poland: “This is a key year for me as it is my first year under 23.”

David will face important challenges in the final stretch of the season: On September 23, he is waiting for the World Championship among youths under 23 in Pontevedra, then the World Championship will come to Tangier (October 1); Rome (October 7), Viña del Mar, Chile (November 11); and Montevideo (November 18). “I celebrated the victory in Valencia at a minimum, as the next day I was already training. In this sport, you can neither sleep nor relax.