The 3-time Pan-American champion has followed a hard road through her judo career, often travelling alone, no coach and no support team, not even a warm-up partner. At 28 years old, Mary Dee is now in her tenth year on the senior circuit and it isn’t getting any easier but she is committed to her goals and has made changes in her regime in an effort to get closer to them.
In Qingdao the work, big decisions, challenges and sacrifices all became more worth it than ever when Vargas Ley fought her way to the final, assuring herself of a World Judo Tour medal for the very first time. The relief was clear to see as she left the tatami with a semi-final win under her belt.
“Going into that semi-final, I just wanted to fight without thinking about the result or the potential win. I knew she was a good opponent and all I wanted was to concentrate on that. I have competed so much at the high level and even if I have never felt that I had the situation to say I’m fighting for a real chance at a medal, I always prepare to win. Maybe I’m not always starting on the same level is other competitors but now I’m an experienced athlete. I feel I really deserve to start to win the medals now.
My country is supporting me. I have a coach here with me too, which I haven’t always had. He has travelled with me to the last 4 events and it is making a difference, not being alone. Currently I live in Spain, in Valencia, and am training with him there.”
Not carrying the weight of all the logistics, planning and analysis for all the events is a relief, freeing some energy to focus even more fully on training.
“I have a dream and I have the work ethic. The ultimate dream is an Olympic medal, of course; I dreamed of it all my life. I have always believed I can do it and so I never gave up. Finally I opened a door today and I showed Chilean athletes that we can!I am proud of my roots. I’m a Latin athlete and I want people to know that. I want people to see that I am proud of both my background and my current position.
That should be the message to all young athletes: I think you should never give up on your dreams. The only one who loses is the one who gives up, so work and wait for your time, ind your rhythm.
I think judo is my life. I love it, even when it is really hard. When I stop loving it, I will pick up my things and go. I am almost finished with my university studies in architecture and I have many other things in my life but I stay here in judo because I love it.”
Mary Dee Vargas Ley is a trailblazer for Chile, showing that with a will and with commitment, even against great challenges, goals are worth having and persistence is honourable.