Abel Jordan, the great promise of Spanish athletes who train and compete in the US

Abel Jordan He is one of the sensations of Spanish athletics. At the age of twenty years, he burst into force this 2024 thanks to his excellent scores in the 100 meter dash and the 60 and 110 meter hurdles in the American university circuit, where he competes in the reference of Orlando Ortegaan athlete he recently shared the experience of the Europeans in Rome.

Abel Jordan (Madrid, 2003) studies Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Fullerton, near Los Angeles. There he trains with Marques Barosso and Dominique Arnold and, after the first year of transition, this second is his takeoff with 10.19 at the Big West Championships, 6.59 at 60 meters indoors in Spokane – fourth who is the fastest Spanish athlete in history in the test. -, 7.72 in the 60 hurdles in Albuquerque and 13.53 in the 110 hurdles in Fayetteville.

The Madrid athlete, who has Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games As a “main goal”, he has room for improvement as at twenty years old he is in contact with the best national and international athletes. In a visit to EFE he reviews his career, talks about his aspirations and reveals his most personal side.

Next week is the Spanish Championship in La Nucia. How does it come, at what point is it?

I feel good, although this is the first time that my season has been delayed a bit because in the United States we started earlier. I notice the accumulated fatigue from competing so much, but I still feel motivated. I had two tests where I was fairly successful. I didn’t expect 100 and that’s why I wanted to go for it. I come from the indoor track and that gives me confidence and self-esteem.

As for the obstacles, it’s a very technical test, one day you trip and trip and you climb. Obstacles are a very difficult test that will help you in many moments. My family was there too, something unusual, and I really liked it.

2023 was a little irregular, but 2024 was very good

Last year was a bit of a transition because I came to the United States, a new culture, different training, different food, a new pace of life…even new obstacles, because in Spain I was not used to absolute height barrier. It was a huge step that I had to take, I had injuries in the second training session in Spain and I didn’t get the season I wanted, but overall the experience was good because I applied all the little nuances to the year this and it has been better for me. I have been injured for a week and a half. I am proud that I know how to listen to my body and know when to stop. The consistency was in my favor and I did very well, especially in the 100, which I expected to be fast but not that fast.

How did the idea of ​​going to the United States come about?

The idea came from my father after coming third in the under 18 category in the year of covid. He suggested it to me as an idea. He told me: “We have the means.” And we also know a friend who went to the United States with an agency with soccer and had a great experience. The United States is the country that produces the most athletes at a great level. It is true that there are many people, but they will also do something good. It can’t be just luck.

The first year I tried was complicated because after Covid, the universities were afraid, they didn’t give scholarships, I was also afraid, then I endured a year at the Polytechnic University. The following year the coach contacted me and we started talking. The site encouraged me a bit. I want to train in good weather and I like Miami or Los Angeles. From there we moved forward because the mentality is also the same.

What is life like in California?

It doesn’t make any money from athletics, but athletics pays me enough to live there. I have to ask my parents for some money, because there are always expenses, but my life basically comes from training, studying and competing. I focus on sports, but sometimes you get bored and you have to leave the place because you see the same people everywhere.

What is the university circuit in the United States?

I find it very funny. It’s like going around Europe to compete. It works through divisions, 1, 2 and 3. 1 is like recognition, the first step to being professional and people are proud to be there. Those universities like to invite other universities to compete. Division 1 is the only one that allows you to go to the highest level of competitions.

The European Championship in Rome was his debut with the senior team. How was the experience?

It was very enriching. As you always see them on TV with a competitive mentality, I liked seeing them now in a different way. I was with Quique Llopis, Kevin Sánchez, Maribel Pérez or Sergio López Barranco, a very nice boy, very talkative, completely different from what I expected.

Where do you think your room for improvement?

The 100 is a test that depends more on genetics than fences. A child born fast compared to a slow one has more opportunities with the same level of effort. The hurdles, because it has more techniques, is a test that rewards the athlete’s effort more. The method worked on, I like it more and I think I can have more desires in this modality. I am very fast, I am good at the national ranking level, but at the international level the obstacles will give me a plus.

In Rome he was seen in the stands with Ivan Pedroso

He is Cuban and very dear to my family. My parents kept telling me to take pictures with him. I have a photo of him when I was twelve or thirteen, when he went to Madrid for the winter rallies. Being with him is great, like you see Jordan Díaz, Pedro Pichardo, Eusebio Cáceres or Mattia Furlani jump. It’s a part I really enjoy, the opportunity to see them up close and enjoy athletics.

What was your reference?

Orlando Ortega is an athlete I always wanted to follow. When he got injured in Tokyo I was a little hurt. I want to see him run because technically it’s incredible. My hurdles coach ran 12.90, the eighth best of all time, he knows a lot. Agree with me that Orlando is among the ten best in history.

In Rome I was playing Jenga with Orlando Ortega. It might be silly, but to me it’s super cool. In my house he is very much loved and having the opportunity to have dinner with him is very nice. He entered that Spanish elite.

And the Olympic Games?

We will see. I have Los Angeles 2028 as my main goal. Paris is more complicated because competing in the United States I don’t get many points for the world ranking. I dreamed of Paris with fences, I think I can do something more than smooth ones, but Los Angeles 2028 for sure. This is a goal I believe I can achieve.