At 29 years of age, and even more so because of his vocation, the current taekwondo champion of the Mediterranean Games clearly knows that “at first, the priority was health. The world was standing still because of the pandemic and sports had to take a back seat”. However, Raúl Martínez in 2021 sees that the pandemic is going to last for a long time, “with security measures, most sports can be played”, and he highlights that “all athletes want these Olympic Games to take place; we have been fighting all our lives to be able to compete in them”.

Martínez has had his Olympic ticket to Tokyo assured since 2019, when he certified his place among the top five in the world ranking and, this year, he has chosen UCAM to continue his studies for the Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine.

“I’ve just moved to his university and the truth is that I’m delighted”, says the athlete from Elche. He claims to have “had a great reception, both with teachers and with the entire Sports team”, and he is satisfied: “What I’ve had heard is coming true: UCAM is the university of sports and it helps us to carry everything forward”.

As for the Tokyo Games, the great stage: “I want the medal, obviously, and it would be even better if it was the gold medal”.

He overcame an adductor injury with which he competed for six months

“I ended up tearing it when I qualified for Tokyo. I would have made it, but the postponement may have been good for my recovery”, says Raúl Martínez.