A force that breaks limits

By: Alejandro García Suárez – Advisory Office of Communications

Andrés Santiago Suárez Baquero is a ninth-semester student in the Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education at the Soacha campus. At 20 years old, he is preparing to compete in the IRONMAN 70.3, a sporting discipline that combines swimming, cycling, and running. The event is scheduled for December 2024 in Taupo, New Zealand.

With approximately four years of experience in this discipline, he has obtained several titles in Colombia and stands out as the youngest Colombian to qualify and participate in a world championship of this category.

In an interview with the UCundinamarca News Agency, Andrés Santiago shares details about his preparation for the IRONMAN 70.3 in New Zealand and the challenges he has faced.

When asked about his motivation for practicing this sport, Andrés Santiago mentioned that, after an accident in 2020 while mountain biking that caused him multiple injuries, including a fractured collarbone and ribs, which affected his health and mobility for six months without being able to train, he was determined not to back down, on the contrary, this experience challenged him to overcome that obstacle and return to the sport stronger.

From that moment on, he decided to take up triathlon and push his own limits. The student also emphasizes the importance of having the moral and financial support of his loved ones, which has been fundamental to his athletic career.

In this learning journey, Andrés says that the Transmodern Digital Educational Model (MEDIT) has been key in his training, allowing him to access training spaces and academic flexibility to combine his studies with his sports career.

Representing Colombia in a competition of this magnitude is an honor for Andrés Santiago, who feels proud to carry the colors of his country, department and city in an event of international relevance.

For those young people who dream of achieving sporting accomplishments like his, Andrés Santiago advises them to set short, medium and long-term goals, maintain discipline, motivation and willpower to overcome any obstacle on the road to success, as Andrés explains that he dedicates between 4 and 5 hours daily training in the disciplines of swimming, cycling and athletics, in addition to working in the gym and taking care of his diet and rest.

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