Ana Ibis Jiménez Pérez

Specialist in long jump, 100 and 200 meter dash, disabled athlete, one of the most outstanding athletes of the ANCI in Villa Clara, double Paralympic gold medalist in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 in long jump and Olympic bronze in 100 meter dash in Athens. Selected as the best disabled athlete in 2004.

She was born in Santa Clara, daughter of Francisco Jiménez and Xiomara Pérez. She was born prematurely, at seven and a half months, weighing three pounds and ten ounces, which influenced to some extent the subsequent development of the girl, who suffered from some visual deficiencies from that time on.

She began her primary education studies at the semi-boarding school 28 de Enero in the Dovalganes neighborhood. When she was in sixth grade, she began practicing athletics in the special area of the Abel Santamaría Sports Complex under the guidance of coach Orlando Pérez Pérez, along with her sister by her own decision, without any influence from her father's work at that time. Despite being the older sister, she had fewer natural abilities as she was the youngest and the heaviest, according to her parents. However, despite being at a disadvantage, in school-level competitions she showed outstanding results, which led to her being selected to represent the school in multiple sporting activities.

She was selected to enroll in the EIDE Sports Initiation School in volleyball, but due to visual problems, her stay lasted approximately 3 or 4 months. This was the first and last obstacle that would be placed before her to fulfill her dreams of becoming an athlete.

She completed secondary education at the ESBU Capitán Roberto Rodríguez. She then decided to study for a degree as a Technician in Agronomy, but she was always followed by athletics coaches due to the abilities she had developed in this sport.

Sports Development
In 1995, she enrolled in the ESPA specializing in athletics, running the 100 and 200 meter distances and participating in provincial and national events, obtaining good results.

During this stage, she was trained by Rigoberto Quíala, who spoke with her about her visual limitation and suggested she consider joining the National Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, ANCI, as this would allow her to achieve better results. Once convinced of this possibility, she underwent tests to determine her classification category, which resulted in (B-3), and she became a member of this association.

In the same year 1995, she participated in provincial competitions where she obtained first place and was selected to join the Villa Clara team at the national athletics championship of the ANCI held in the city of Guantánamo, where she won three gold medals in 100, 200 meter dash and long jump. From then on, she began to forge a chain of victories at the national and international level, culminating in two medals at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

Due to her results, she joined the national pre-selection team that attended the first Pan American Games for the Blind held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, where she won three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter dash and long jump distances.

In 1996, she participated in the national athletics championship of the ANCI held in the city of Santiago de Cuba, winning three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter and long jump distances. She also joined the national pre-selection team for the Paralympic Games to be held in Atlanta, United States, but was unable to attend because the disciplines in which she competed were not included.

In 1997 and 1998, she attended the national athletics championship of the ANCI held in the city of Santiago de Cuba, where she won three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter dash and long jump distances. She was also part of the national team selection to attend the IBSA World Championship for Sports for the Blind held in Madrid, Spain, where she won a gold medal in the 100 meter dash and a silver medal in long jump. She was also selected as the most outstanding disabled athlete in sports in the country for these results.

In 1999, she attended the National Athletics Championship of the ANCI held in Santiago de Cuba, where she won three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter and long jump distances. She also participated in the Para-Pan American Games for the Blind and Physically Limited held in Mexico City, winning three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter and long jump distances. She was invited to participate in a meet with conventional athletes in England. She was also selected as the most outstanding disabled athlete in sports in the country.

In 2000, the First National Paralympics were held in Santiago de Cuba, where she won three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter dash and long jump. She again joined the national pre-selection team to attend the Sydney, Australia Paralympic Games. However, she was unable to attend because the disciplines in which she competed were not included.

In 2001, she attended the qualifier for the National Athletics Paralympiad held in Santiago de Cuba, winning three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter dash and long jump. She also participated in the first Pan American Games for the Blind in athletics held in South Carolina in the United States, where she won three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter and long jump distances.

In 2002, she attended the Second National Athletics Paralympiad held in Santiago de Cuba, where she won three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter and long jump distances. She also participated in the 3rd World Championship for Sports for the Blind held in France. In the semifinals she suffered an injury and competed injured, and in the finals she achieved a commendable 5th place in the 100 meter dash.

In 2003, she participated in the qualifier for the national athletics paralympiad held in Santiago de Cuba, winning three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter and long jump distances.

In 2004, she attended the Third National Athletics Paralympiad in Santiago de Cuba, where she won three gold medals in the 100, 200 meter and long jump distances. She also attended the Paralympic Games held in Athens, Greece, where she won a gold medal in long jump with a jump of 5.40 meters and a bronze medal in the 100 meter dash with a time of 12.98 seconds. She was also selected as the most outstanding disabled athlete in sports in the country.

Ana Ibis comments that she was unable to participate in the national paralympiad of 2005 because she became ill with hepatitis and consequently had to rest. She returned to training in 2006, and midway through that year the illness recurred, and she had to rest again. She gained weight, and from that point on she considered stepping away from competition at the highest level. Her retirement from active sports did not diminish her love for athletics in any way.

Currently, our champion resides in Havana, the country's capital, where she is in her fifth year of studies for a degree in Physical Culture, Sports and Recreation. She enjoys great affection and respect in her neighborhood, and always visits friends and teammates with whom she took her first steps and who watched her grow.

Results Obtained
1995 Gold Medal in the National Athletics Championship of the ANCI. Guantánamo, Cuba
1995 Gold Medal in the First Pan American Games for the Blind. Mar del Plata, Argentina.
1996 Gold Medal in the National Athletics Championship of the ANCI. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
1997 Gold Medal in the National Athletics Championship of the ANCI. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
1998 Gold Medal in the National Athletics Championship of the ANCI. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
1998 Gold Medal in the First World Athletics Championship of the I.B.S.A. Spain.
1999 Gold Medal in the National Athletics Championship of the ANCI. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
1999 Gold Medal in the Pan American Games for the Blind and Physically and Motor Limited. Mexico.
2000 Gold Medal in the First National Paralympiad for Sports for the Disabled. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
2001 Gold Medal in the First Pan American Games for the Blind in Athletics. South Carolina. USA.
2002 Gold Medal in the Second National Paralympiad. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
2002 Fourth Place in the Third World Athletics Championship for the Blind. France.
2004 Gold Medal in the Third National Paralympiad for Sports for the Disabled. Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
2004 Bronze Medal in the XII Paralympic Games. Athens, Greece.

Opinions about Ana Ibis

Ana Ibis's father, Francisco Jiménez, who is an athletics coach and currently works at the provincial ESPA, says that he had no influence on his daughter's decision to practice this sport. It was during primary school when she began doing it in the special area of the Abel Santamaría Sports Complex.

Her mother, Xiomara Pérez, states that Ana Ibis was a very affectionate child, a good daughter, respectful to all people, but at the same time she was restless and loved running all the time. As a mother, she always supported her in everything, even in the most difficult moments.

Her sister Anay Jiménez argues that they never tried to convince her to do otherwise. They always respected her decision and supported her in everything. According to Francisco, she had more natural abilities than the current champion, but lacked the willpower and conviction that she could go far.

Gladis Ruiz Reyes, the Physical Education teacher in primary school, says that Ana Ibis was a very restless and anxious child who always loved to run. She was very affectionate and supportive of other children, participating enthusiastically in physical education classes as well as in the A jugar programs held at the school level.

From the beginning, her vision problem was noticeable, but it did not affect her participation in physical education activities. She was worked with in such a way that she did not feel inferior to the others. She managed to acquire the necessary skills and abilities in different grades.

Milagros Monteagudo, a former outstanding ANCI athlete and Ana Ibis's companion in multiple events, affirms that she was an athlete completely dedicated to sport and during training was hardworking, dedicated, and met its demands, even while injured. She was a brave and combative athlete. For her, she is one of the best sports figures that have served in the ANCI because of her outstanding trajectory.

Lázaro Brotón Santo, a former outstanding ANCI athlete, says he met her when she came to get her membership card to join the association. They competed together in two international events, and he expresses that she was a very consistent athlete who did not give up in the face of any obstacle, much less against rivals in competition. For him, Ana was an athlete with exceptional abilities, great courage and determination. She was a source of inspiration and strength for other team members.

The athlete Ángel Jiménez, belonging to the ANCI and a teammate at the Athens, Greece Paralympics, states that for him there was no more dedicated athlete in training, and there was no obstacle that could keep her away from it. He comments that he had never before seen an athlete with so much love, determination and dedication. So much so that the coaches had complete confidence in her.

He comments that the most relevant characteristics of Ana Ibis as an athlete were courage and determination, but also a great team player who enjoyed the victories of her teammates as much as her own. He experienced this while at the Athens Paralympics, where she encouraged him.

Her first coach, Orlando Pérez Pérez, says he met her when the girl approached him because she wanted to practice athletics at the age of 10 in the special area of the Abel Santamaría Sports Complex. He recounts that from the moment he tested her for recruitment, she had abundant aptitude. She was strong, fast, and tireless.

Rigoberto Guíal, her coach during her time at ESPA, states that he discovered her because of the characteristics she possessed for that category, since for conventional sports they were not appropriate, but for disabled sports they were good. She had potential in terms of speed and strength. From that age, she was very determined, demanding of herself, disciplined, and this allowed him to work with her in a differentiated way without her noticing, and the results showed.

José Antonio Gonzáles Pires, former president of the ANCI, reported that Ana Ibis, in the last two years of his presidency, was one of the best members. She participated enthusiastically in all activities, always projecting a positive image that was easy to transmit to other members. He says she is one of the most brilliant disabled athletes the association has had, with strong revolutionary convictions demonstrated during difficult times.

Mirian Ferrer, coach on the national team in the speed specialty, comments that Ana was a very disciplined athlete, hardworking, dedicated to training regardless of the hour or time, enthusiastic and very intelligent when competing. She was an athlete who brought her great joy and satisfaction through her sports results throughout her athletic career. Although she won the bronze medal in Athens, Ferrer thinks she was prepared for gold. Sports is like that—you win and you lose. It's a shame that she retired prematurely from sports because she had the ability to reach the 2012 London Paralympics.

Luis Bueno, the coach on the national team in the Long Jump specialty, notes that Ana Ibis was characterized by very explosive running and good takeoff at the moment of the jump. She was a combative athlete, self-sacrificing, demanding of herself, with very good feelings, and receptive to criticism. He agrees with Mirian that it was a shame her early retirement from active sports.

The Saddest Moment for the Athlete

Ana Ibis comments that during her athletic career she had moments of dissatisfaction, but she remembers with the most sadness when, for the Atlanta and Sydney Paralympics, she posted the necessary times and marks to participate, and the specialties in which she was going to compete were not included.

Ana Ibis's Statement about the Competition in Athens
The long jump competition was very strong, with a very high level. It was necessary to run and jump very hard to make it to the podium. She states that when she jumped 5.40 meters, she thought she had won a medal, but she never felt confident, because the Greek athlete had 5.29 and still had 4 more attempts left. Nevertheless, she knew it would be quite difficult.

When she won, the first people she thought of were her parents, her sister, her husband, the coaches, Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, and all the people of Cuba.

In the 100 meters, she really thought she would win gold, but it was not to be. She won bronze, and although she was not completely satisfied, it was a Paralympic medal. She met expectations, but she was in a position to achieve a better result if she had made the best mark she had recorded.

Anecdotes about the Athlete
Ana's mother recounts that when she did not compete in Sydney, she would lie in bed, cover herself with her pillow, and begin to cry. At that moment, her mother worried about her and asked her why she was crying in bed. Ana responded, "Mommy, because if I were there, you can be sure I would bring some medal home for Cuba."

Her father said that each time she came home with an international medal, she would place it around his neck and say, "Daddy, I fulfilled my commitment to Fidel and to you." When she was invited to England, she suffered an injury and had to rest for two days before the competition. She was asked if she could compete, to which she responded, "I came here to compete, not to rest." The next day she competed while injured, and the result was a bronze medal.