What does it take to bounce back from disappointment and still take home gold?
Top-level athletes need exceptional physical strength — but mental strength is just as vital. At the Belgian National Championships Lucca proved he has both.
From the very start of the athletics season, Lucca set his sights on one goal: qualifying for the European U20 Championships in Finland in September. The path was clear, but not easy — he needed to meet the Belgian Athletics Federation’s qualifying standard of 15.28 meters in the triple jump.
Back in March, Lucca soared to 15.38 meters at an indoor competition in Ghent. But with the qualification window only opening on April 1st, that jump didn’t count. As the outdoor season progressed, Lucca produced several massive efforts but frustratingly, they were ruled invalid due to wind conditions. It began to feel like the goal was slipping out of reach.
Refusing to give up, Lucca explored another path. Holding dual nationality, he turned to the Netherlands, where the qualifying standard was slightly lower at 15.20 meters. He entered more competitions and recorded some big jumps, but when the Dutch team was announced last weekend, his name was missing – the administration had forgotten to register him. Despite Coach Michel’s best efforts to rectify this, the response was blunt: the selection had already been submitted. It was too late.
The news was crushing. After months of hard training, sacrifices, and unwavering focus, Lucca was devastated. He shared his disappointment in a heartfelt Instagram post but finished with a powerful reminder: “The show must go on.”
At the Belgian National Championships last weekend, Lucca was determined to end his season on a high note but the competition didn’t unfold as hoped.
“During my first attempt, everything seemed to fall apart. A sharp pain shot through my foot and I couldn’t complete the jump. After everything that had happened with the U20 selection, it was too much for me - I burst into tears, thinking this would be the end of my competition.
But I decided not to give up. My coach had just the right words and I pulled myself together, pushed through the pain and jumped into second place. But I wanted more and everything hinged on my final jump.
After some more tips from coach Michel, I channeled all the anger, sadness and disappointment from earlier that week into one ultimate jump. And everything was perfect: the approach, the takeoff, the landing.”
Lucca launched himself to a new personal best of 15.29 meters, winning gold. A stunning comeback. A masterclass in resilience. A champion in every sense.
He won’t be overlooked again.
