Superhero Sunday: Martina Caironi

Each week throughout the IPC Athletics season we are asking our 2015 Ones to Watch athletes to name the three figures that have inspired them. In this week’s SUPERHERO SUNDAY we hear from Italy’s double world champion Martina Caironi.

The 25-year-old clinched 100m T42 gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and continued to dominate the T42 class with victory in the 100m and long jump at the IPC Athletics World Championships the following summer in Lyon, France.

At the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea, Great Britain last summer, she won 100m gold but had to settle for silver in the long jump, losing out to Germany’s world record holder Vanessa Low.

With two world titles to defend this year, and a thrilling rivalry against Low likely to unfold, Caironi is undoubtedly one to watch.

Here are Martina’s heroes:

Nelson Mandela - anti-apartheid revolutionary

For dedicating and fighting all his life for the black rights and also for having shown that determination and sacrifice can bring big results. And to prove to the world that even if we are all different, we are all persons equally.

Jimi Hendrix - musician

Especially his ability to play the guitar with his teeth! He’s a great example of a person who pushed the limit - always using the alternative way to do things, because the common way is not always the best choice. He was a free spirit, and his songs inspire me and give me power before competitions.

Pietro Mennea (Italian 1980 Olympic 200m champion who held the world record for 17 years.)

For the perseverance and commitment during his training and life and for showing that somehow the mind can rule the body. I met him a year before he died and he revealed to me the secret of good training!

Italy’s Martina Caironi is set to be one of 1,300 athletes from 90 countries who compete at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships which take place in Doha, Qatar, between 22-31 October.