Did not dare to jump – now she EM bronze – Aftonbladet

Prague . Angelica Bengtsson almost bursting with emotion after his European Championship bronze and Swedish record (4-70) in Prague.

She is happy, touched, dazed and still a little pissed that she did not pass 4.75.

Everything at once. And her glossy eyes reveal all the tears that flowed.

– Yes, less than a year ago, I cried at every workout. I did not even dare jump. And now I stand here with a European Championship bronze. It’s a nice trip, she says.

The man behind the journey is the father Glenn Bengtsson, Angelica’s first coach.

It became a wrenching break with dad when Angelica changed coaches after the success of 2011, when she was the world’s best junior and set a new junior world record by jumping 4.63 in the Globe.

“Did not dare to jump anymore”

– He helped me to get out of the psychological problems last summer when I did not dare to jump further and find a way back. Now he sent text messages before the race and said that “now you can do it” and told me that he sat in front of the television and cheering for me. It warmed the heart, says Angelica.

Daddy Glenn himself sat at home in Småland Väckelsång and followed the races.

He who did Angelica to a junior star but then for various reasons had to leave the coaching job to others. It was a terse breakup and it took some time for father and daughter reconciled.

Now, says Glenn Sportbladet:

– When she had it the hardest, I tried to make her look joy again. To go into every race with happy eyes. To feel relaxed. Everyone has a father and know what it means. I think it’s important to be supported by loved ones.

“Then I was most touched”

– She has had many different coaches in recent years and I think it is important that an active has only one vote.

How high do you think she can jump?

– I have seen her jump 4.90 and compared with the Globe in 2011 as she holds twenty centimeters higher on rod now. Then she jumped 4.63, so only it makes you we are up to 4.83.

While Glenn chose to stay home, so mom Elizete and little sister Gabriella, 15 on location in Prague.

– But it is the father who pays, says Angelica.

– And to see mom and “Gabby” in the stands and the entire Swedish team cheer, that’s when I was most touched. And even when I thought of how many people have supported and stood behind me and helped me along the way, says Angelica.

Olympics the big goal

But for Angelica Bengtsson, this is just a step towards the big goal – the Olympics in Rio.

Her mother Elizeter’re Brazilian so she has roots and lots of family in Brazil.

– Yes, Mom and Dad, and the whole family will go there and lots of relatives from Brazil. Everything is already planned and ready. So yes, there will be special. Then Fabiana Murer one of the favorites and she’s home. So it’ll be a fantastic atmosphere.

So now begins the quest towards the next goal – five meters.

– I think you have up to a level of up to five meters to be guaranteed a medal in the Olympics. That’s where I’m aiming. Whether that holds or not I do not know. But I will try.