Agate Sousa: "They believed in me, and that's priceless!"

Agate Sousa, crowned world indoor long jump champion, isn't content with just a gold medal. The 25-year-old jumper, who recently featured on BTV's "Protagonista" program, revealed that her main personal goal remains to break the 7-meter barrier.

Despite arriving at the World Championships with the year's best mark (6.97 meters), the athlete confessed her primary aim was to surpass 7 meters indoors, a feat she has already achieved outdoors with a 7.03-meter jump. "I jumped 6.92 meters, which was enough to win the gold medal, and I'm very happy about that. But I haven't given up on breaking the 7-meter barrier," stated the champion, who is still recovering from an injury.

Competing for Portugal since 2024, Agate Sousa described the emotion of hearing the national anthem on the podium. "It's a wonderful feeling. I feel Portuguese, heart and soul, and bringing this joy to the Portuguese people is a reward for all the hard work," she declared, emphasizing her gratitude for the country that provided her with "all the conditions to compete at a high level."

The athlete, born in São Tomé and Príncipe, received Portuguese nationality just two years ago, despite arriving young at GD Cavadas first and then JOMA, before moving on to represent Benfica, a club that played a fundamental role in her career, considering her transfer to the Lisbon club as her "first major medal."

The jumper specifically thanked coordinator Ana Oliveira for believing in her potential. "Arriving at Benfica was like entering another world. Everything was very professional and, as I said, it changed my life," she added.

"Benfica is a wonderful club that gives us all the conditions to develop, to train, and to compete at the highest level," the athlete praised.

With her sights set on the future, Agate Sousa is already focusing on the outdoor European Championships, scheduled for August. Aware of the increased responsibility that comes with a world title, the athlete believes that if she performs at her "best version," she will have "the conditions to fight for medals" and try to improve her personal best.

From Shot Put to Long Jump

Agate's career wasn't always linked to the long jump. Interestingly, her first discipline was shot put, a choice motivated by her aversion to running. "I didn't start in long jump; I started in shot put. I don't like to run, so shot put seemed perfect for me," she confessed. In São Tomé and Príncipe, she participated in events sporadically and won, but her future in the discipline was uncertain due to her "very slender" physique.

It was a coach who advised her to switch to long jump, citing her speed and lean physique. The transition wasn't immediate or easy. "It wasn't love at first sight," she admitted, explaining that the discipline demands a lot of running, something she never enjoyed. However, the good results she achieved in Portugal led her to dedicate herself exclusively to the sport, with the clear goal of becoming "one of the best in the world."

Her arrival at Benfica marked a decisive turning point. "It was like entering another world. Everything was very professional and, as I said, it changed my life," she affirmed. The club's environment demanded a new level of seriousness, which proved "crucial" for her development. With the support of the Benfica structure, she began to improve her marks, breaking the 6-meter barrier and, later, the 7-meter mark outdoors.

The athlete emphasizes the importance of the support she received. "They believed in me from the beginning. That's priceless, and for an athlete to achieve their goals, it's fundamental to have a support system like the one I have, at Benfica and with my family." This commitment motivated a change in mindset, fostering "immense gratitude" for the club and for Portugal, which "changed my life forever."

"I am very proud of what I have achieved, but nothing makes me forget that nothing would have been possible without Benfica appearing and taking me to this level."

Life in Lisbon and Pride in Being Portuguese

Living in Lisbon, the athlete is enchanted by the city, praising "the sun, the beaches, the food, the Pastéis de Belém." She describes it as "very beautiful, very welcoming, and full of light," feeling cherished, especially by Benfica fans who recognize her on the street.

Despite facing negative comments on social media about her origins, the athlete downplays their impact, considering them the work of "a minority that does not represent the Portuguese people and Portugal." Such incidents do not diminish her sense of belonging: "That doesn't stop me from being immensely proud to be Portuguese, to bring joy to the Portuguese, and to feel very good living in Lisbon and representing Benfica."

Regarding the increasing competitiveness in her sport, the athlete acknowledges the challenge. "Competitions are becoming more and more competitive; new athletes are emerging and making medals increasingly difficult to achieve." However, her ambition remains firm: "If I want to be one of the best in the world, I have to enter these competitions with the goal of winning them."