Valeria Cilleruelo/remó hacia el oro mundial y los obstáculos del kayak neuquino

Valeria Cilleruelo Begins each day before dawn and finishes well after the workday is over. The 44-year-old teacher of Physical Education at two schools in Neuquén combines her professional duties with year-round training, and she raises Emma, her 12-year-old daughter, on her own. For years, she has covered the travel, competition expenses and physical preparation for her canoeing career without outside assistance.

The opportunity came in 2025, when the World Kayak Championship was held in Gualeguaychú. Cilleruelo had qualified for two previous editions but could not attend either one because the transportation costs exceeded what she could afford. As the championship was held in Argentina, that long-standing barrier finally disappeared. In April, she traveled to Gualeguaychú for the national qualifier, finished first and secured a place at the World Championship.

Del freno en la largada al podio en K1

Months later, Cilleruelo competed in the two categories for which she had prepared. In K1, or single kayak, she struggled with nerves from the start. She began well behind and spent several sections of the race near the last positions, but instead of giving up, she reduced the gap to the athletes fighting for third place and finished on the podium.

In K2, or tandem kayak, she shared the boat with Victoria Sánchez, a Viedma athlete she had never trained with. The two met on the water on the day of the race, built a lead over the rest of the field and crossed the finish line first to win the gold medal. The victory completed a journey that had been interrupted many times by the cost of competing abroad.

“Never managed to go to other world championships; I never received support or assistance to be able to travel.”Valeria Cilleruelo

El río Limay como punto de partida y refugio

Cilleruelo discovered canoeing at 18 when a neighbor invited her to row during the summer. On that first outing in the Limay River, she found the appeal that would define much of her life. Years later, she continues to describe that initial contact with the water as the motivation that kept her rowing. The river also remains her emotional refuge from the pressures of teaching, training and raising her daughter.

“For me, it is a unique connection with nature, my cable to earth. It means completely disconnecting from work, problems and daily stress.”Valeria Cilleruelo

• Valeria Cilleruelo has been physically active in canoeing since she was 18 years old.
• She worked as a Physical Education teacher at two schools in Neuquén while maintaining her training.
• She qualified for two previous world championships but could not travel because she lacked support for the costs involved.
• She won the gold medal in K2 with Victoria Sánchez and took third place in K1 in Gualeguaychú.
• She raises her 12-year-old daughter, Emma, on her own.

Those seeking information about local Physical Education schools, family guidance or opportunities to practice canoeing can inquire at the educational institutions in Neuquén during their regular office hours, generally from Monday to Friday, and should confirm the opening times directly with each school. Information about the World Kayak Championship can also be requested from the organizing authorities in Gualeguaychú during their published attention hours.