Coach Carol Cruz highlighted the virtues that led fencer from Tolima Arthur Pinilla to earn the respect of his teammates and rivals.
His family, and that of Tolima sports, has not yet managed to understand and assimilate. The death of the fencer Arthur Andrey Pinilla Polanco last weekend took everyone by surprise.
The outstanding athlete from the ‘Tierra Firme’, winner of medals in the last three editions of the National Games, and also in international competitions with the Colombian National Team, left unexpectedly at the age of 28, apparently due to a sudden death.
The sadness that overwhelms his loved ones, and those who had the pleasure of meeting him and sharing different moments with him, is immense.
Precisely, one of the people who managed to live various experiences with his company is the coach Carol Cruz, who highlighted the virtues that led to her pupil being so loved by locals and strangers.
“The 13 years that he was in the Tolima Fencing League were very special for us. He arrived without ever having practiced any sport. He started from scratch with Professor Juliana Penagos and me, to later become a high-performance athlete, ”said the trainer.
And he added that “he was currently in the United States, preparing for a Sword Grand Prix here in Colombia, and also for the National Games, a contest where he shone every time he competed.”
Cruz also said that “he was an agro-industrial engineer from the University of Tolima, where he studied under Sports Law (with a scholarship).”
Carol stated that “a boy with enormous sporting results left us, who still had a lot to gain, since he was committed to being the best. That is why he traveled to North America ”.
Regarding the impact that this unfortunate news has generated in the League, the ‘teacher’ said that “it has not been easy, especially because of her age, and because nobody expected something like this. Even, we still think that this is not real. The truth is that it has been very hard for everyone”.
Pinilla, as a person, was defined by his teacher as “a real gentleman. No one ever had any complaints about his behavior. He always did what he said with great respect. I don’t remember seeing him punished in competition, since he was very focused.
I always said that his personality was transmitted in the competition, since he was shown to be very quiet, but he would come out at any moment with a funny note. And that’s how he was on the track, because one noticed him calm, passive, but he surprised out of nowhere with a forceful attack ”.
Carol Cruz highlighted that “he was never seen confronting a teammate, nor an adversary. That’s why he endeared himself very easily. For example, when he was training in France, the coaches admired him, and his colleagues, due to his good manners and education.
Beyond his medals and podiums, what fills me with pride is that he grew up as an excellent human being, and he always transmitted that to the rest of his teammates, especially the younger ones, who came after him. At such a young age, he left many beautiful teachings. He was and will continue to be an example for all.
repatriation
Carol Cruz told this newsroom that the Colombian Fencing Federation, headed by Mariana Vila, is negotiating Arthur’s repatriation with various entities, taking into account that the athlete’s family does not have the necessary resources for this complex process.
“We hope that our rulers will help us bring him back, so we can fire him. Either with a humanitarian flight, or whatever is within reach. We are all waiting for it”, indicated the ‘teacher’.
More news
– He won in Tolima! ‘Supermán’ López is Red Wine and Gold
-‘Ibaguereña fever for a famous cyclist caused a stir on an important avenue: they got up early to see him
