Tipperary has a proud tradition of having Olympian Athlethes. Sergiu Ciobanu joins that great list as he has qualified to take part in the Olympic Marathon in Rio this year. While Sergiu may not find out until May if he has the made it onto the Irish team, his work ethic and committment are something to be admired. Run Republic were proud to interview Sergiu Ciobanu recently and here is what he had to say...
Favourite Song
Moldovenii s-au nascut' by Zdob si Zdub & The Script 'Hall of fame'
Favourite Movie
Mission Impossible
Favourite TV Show
A Place in the Sun
Favourite Sports Team
Irish women's cross country team
Favourite thing to do when you’re not training
Going to the cinema, reading, physio, talking on Skype to my family in Moldova
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Sergiu from Hunt Films on Vimeo.
How did you get involved in athletics?
I got involved in athletics because I wanted to be fit. I started running when I was 17-18years old only because I thought this will keep me fit and able to handle a soccer, basketball match, its what I did as a teenager. For few years I did a bit of wrestling training and part of the warm up was running on hilly terrain. It was fun, but when there was a regional running race I came second and since then I thought this was the sport I could have a chance at.
What has your journey to becoming an athlete been like so far?
In Moldova we didn't have many running events. Probably the national championship was all and maybe few more road races. In my family no one smoked or heavily drink but none from my family did any sports either. I followed athletics path in the college in Chisinau and I emigrated to Ireland after graduation. I joined Clonliffe Harriers when I touched the Irish soil first and despite moving to Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, I remained member of the club since then. With my wife Eimear, I work part time as physical therapist at Clonmel Premier Physiotherapy, as well I coach few athletes from Clonmel A.C and Grange Fermoy, I'm trying to be a role model for them and a mentor as other were for me the likes Jerry Kiernan who is my coach, and few other guys I trained with back in Moldova.
What has been your greatest achievement been to date?
- When I ran an Olympic standard and a marathon PB at the Berlin marathon 2015
- National marathon champion 2009, 2010, 2014.
- Ballycotton 10 five titles in a row I consider a huge achievement too
How do you motivate yourself before an event?
I try to keep focused before any events but same time I try to stay relaxed and not to nervous to much. Watching a movie or reading a book it's a good distraction from thinking to much about a race.
What are your current PB’s and your future goals?
Half marathon PB 64:48 min
Marathon PB 2:15:14 h
My goals is to make as many caps as possible for Ireland and wearing the Irish vest proudly. I qualified to represent Ireland at the Rio Olympics but have to wait until May I guess when they going to announce the full team
Lets Help Sergiu
Sergiu has qualified to represent Ireland but currently does not receive funding from the Irish Sports Council. We can help him get there by donating to his Sports Page.
https://www.pledgesports.org/