PHOTOGRAPHY: LEANDRA BENJAMIN
In the weeks before the 2015 world championships in Aiguebelette, France, several thoughts raced through the head of Brazilian rower Fabiana Beltrame. “Think of all the hard training. Think of every ounce of pain, every drop of sweat. Think of all the people cheering – for me. My family. My friends”. They were all eclipsed however, by one, singular realization: “This will be my last world championship. I want a good result”.
In the moments afterwards, when a tough fourth place finish took her off the podium, she couldn’t help but think: “I wanted a medal so bad”.