Anna Espar Llaquet is a Spanish water polo player who won the gold medal at the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona.
Espar also played on the Spain national team which won the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She scored 15 goals and was named to the Olympic All-Star Team. In 2012 Espar was named Best European Female Water Polo Player by the LEN.
Anni Espar: Spanish female water polo player: Achievements
1X Silver medalist 2012 Olympic Games
1X Gold and 2X Silver medalist at the FINA World Aquatics Championships
1X Bronze medalist FINA Women’s Water Polo World Cup
1X Silver medalist FINA Water Polo World League
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Anni Espar, Spanish female water polo player, Olympic Silver medalist, who talks about her workout, diet, hair and skin care.
Namita Nayyar:
You played on the Spain national team which won the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Walk us through your spectacular journey and share what all led you to take up this sport?
Anni Espar:
Sports are a big part of my life. I have played different sports since I was a little kid so sports have taught me some of the most important values and lessons in life. At the age of 11 I started playing water polo while I was also a swimmer, tennis player and basketball player. I ended up choosing water polo for two reasons: it was a team sport and because I fell in love with the game from day 1. I remember every practice then as happy and fun. And still, 14 years later, I’m happy and excited at every single practice. The reason being that I’m able to share it all with my teammates.
Our qualification for the London Olympics wasn’t an easy one. We got the 11th position in the previous World Championship and less than a year later we had to beat the current world Champion, Greece, in order to qualify for the Olympics. It was a difficult road, but it brought me some of the best memories of my life. Becoming an Olympian was a dream that came true. And I enjoyed every second of it. From the hard training schedules to standing next to my teammates with that silver medal. I’m looking forward to more in the next Olympics!
Namita Nayyar:
You were named the Best European Female Water Polo Player of 2012? Being the best involves a lot of dedication and commitment. Share five keys to being the best?
Anni Espar:
Passion: I believe that when you do something with passion, you don’t count the cost. The reward of doing what you love is so big that it never feels like this great sacrifice, but instead just choosing what you love the most.
Commitment: Being an athlete means being willing to do anything to become better and to prepare to win. Preparing to win, having that work ethic, that’s what makes a champion. For everything in life, commitment is so important.
Desire: Dream and fight for your goals. Having goals in life is very important. You must know what you are working for and you must fight for it. Always remember, if you can dream it, you can do it.
Repetition: I always say that repetition is the key. And it truly is. You might not be great at something at first but eventually, with hard work and muscle memory, you will. Get your brain used to a certain move or routine and soon enough it will be second nature.
Hard work & team work: always give your 100%. No matter what, give your best and this will make you a real champion. You might have bad days, but you still need to show up and do what you need to do. Just put the work and the result will end up paying off. And of course, it makes it easier when you can count on a team that will help you get through the journey. My teammates make my good days better and my bad days easier.
Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life. Your morning begins with.
Anni Espar:
Apart from being a professional athlete, I am also currently working for Turbo. Before this pandemic my days were pretty busy. However, I have always loved being able to combine studies and work with sports. If you can organize yourself well, being able to balance your daily life with some exercise will really make you feel better. Let me tell you a bit about my schedule so you will understand how important good organization is.
I used to wake up at 7.30 to be at work by 8.30. Then I worked until 11 and started practice in Mataró at 11.30. 2 hours training in which we combined weight sessions at the gym and physical condition in the water. Then one of my favorite time of the day, lunch with my teammates. It is good to have some moments to relax and talk about other things so I appreciate these with them, then I used to work from one of my teammate’s home in Mataró (since I live 30’ away) and practice again by 8pm until 10 to get home and get dinner before going to sleep.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
Five exercises that essentially comprise your workout routine all through? Exercise Therapy you undertake to prevent injury or overcome it? Your advice to beginners in water polo.
Anni Espar:
Water polo is a very physical sport so we need to work very hard to be in good shape for the games. My first recommendation is doing a good warm up in order to prevent injuries. In order to gain physical condition, swimming is a good way plus very healthy.
Leg work is also very important, so there are many different exercises in which you can gain strength at the gym. Always, be careful with the technique when learning a new exercise to avoid getting injured.
For any beginner in water polo I recommend to focus on their technique and legs in the water. As I said before repetition is the key, so do your best every day and you will definitely improve.
Also, to prevent for injuries in water polo (especially shoulder ones which are the most common), I would recommend arriving 10’ early and working on some band exercises before starting the practice.
Namita Nayyar:
The diet that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit? Two supplements that are key essential for immunity and enhanced performance.
Anni Espar:
My diet basically consists of balancing the different food groups: I get to know my body better and know what works best for each moment of training and competition. We generally consume a high amount of carbohydrates and protein, and the required amount of healthy fats (such as avocado and salmon).
To complement my diet and to perform at my best, I use Usana’s supplements. I recommend trying Usana Cellsentials (minerals and antioxidants) and my second favorite is Usana bio mega.
Namita Nayyar:
Training in extreme weather conditions can show its toll on hair & skin. Five tips you follow for skin, and hair care?
Anni Espar:
That is a good question. For my hair, I found a really good keratin treatment that I do once a year at the hairdresser. I use the Kevin Murphy shampoo and conditioner. A good tip that I have recently discovered is applying coconut oil on wet hair, leave it for an hour and then wash my hair.
For skin care I highly recommend applying sunscreen when training outdoors.I use Celavive protective day cream and lotion.
Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career? Quote, you live by.
Anni Espar:
My heroes as a young player were basically the older girls on my club team. They were my point of reference and, a few years later, they became my teammates, and it was a very big privilege to play next to players that had been my heroes since I was a young girl. Nowadays, my teammates still inspire me every day.
I like the following quote: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Namita Nayyar:
In the current pandemic situation, how do you keep yourself busy while staying at home?
Anni Espar:
So, for any athlete this is a very difficult time and a very rare situation. But my advice is to adapt to every situation. You never know what can happen in a competition or even in training camp, so we need to accept the situation how it is and make the best of it.
I keep myself busy with home workouts and reading most of the time, but also I’m doing things I don’t usually don’t have much time for. I discovered how much I love cooking. I am also working on a couple personal projects (fundraising for a good cause and another sports related project).
Namita Nayyar:
Share with us your current home workout routine?
Anni Espar:
In order to keep myself fit and not bored (it’s been already two months of training at home) I have to adapt to different kind of workouts.
I really like “Les mills” cardio sessions that I follow online, and also my new favorite: Pilates. @wellness_dani is a great instructor that offers free classes on her Instagram and she even did a zoom session with my club team!
Moreover, we have recently been allowed to work out outdoors, so I love going out for a run or a swim in the ocean.
However, I need to say that I can’t wait to be reunited with my teammates at the pool. Hopefully soon.
Namita Nayyar:
You joined the Sidney Uni Lions women’s water polo team in 2017 winning the Australian League and ending with an unprecedented undefeated season for the Lions (23 wins and a draw in 24 matches). In the year 2017, you were named the NWPL All-Star Team. Share that moment of achievement?
Anni Espar:
It is one of the best moments in my athletic career. Being able to not only win the championship with such a great group of people but getting to meet so many people that have now become so important in my life. The best about all these experiences I have lived abroad is the gift of meeting people that become my friends for a lifetime and also being able to learn and be immersed in different cultures around the world.
I remember like if it was yesterday that final championship game. It was such a tough game and we tied so the winner was decided in a penalty shoot-out. Anyone that knows me well can tell you that I am very, very competitive. I ALWAYS want to win. I remember my feeling and thoughts that day before the penalties: No matter what happens, I have already won, because I will forever have these memories with these girls. I am very proud to be a Sydney Uni Lion forever.
Namita Nayyar:
Social media has gained significance nowadays, how do you use it to inspire your audience?
Anni Espar:
I try to inspire my followers by sharing my passions (sports and traveling) and showing how important is to follow their dreams but always by being kind and true to themselves and others.
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible” 🙂
Namita Nayyar:
Share a few words about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors?
Anni Espar:
I want to thank Women Fitness for empowering women and giving me the opportunity to share my passions with other amazing women (and men) in the world. I hope all visitors enjoy your work and dedication. Thank you!
Anni Espar Social Media Presence
- Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/anniespar_/
- Twitter : https://twitter.com/AnniEspar_
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness