Karina Villegas dreams of taking Para ice hockey to Latin America

“I did not pick the sport. The sport picked me because my original idea was to do open water swimming. But Para ice hockey allows me to train and to share nice moments with my daughter, which I love. The downside is that there are still not many women competing.”

Para ice hockey player Karina Villegas has been living in the USA for several years now. She got married and became a mum.

But the Venezuelan has never forgotten her roots and has ambitions to develop the sport she plays in Latin America.

“Taking Para ice hockey to the region where I was born and grew up is my biggest dream,” the 43-year-old said.

“Last year we travelled to Puerto Rico, where they have two rinks. One was damaged by a strong hurricane, but my coach still organised an event for people to get to know the sport. It was a very nice experience.

“After retiring I want to promote Para ice hockey more across Latin America. I would like to go to Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela to open a door to many people in those countries.”

Villegas first learned about the sport in 2014 when she took her daughter to an ice hockey rink to try the game. But she ended up falling in love with it as well. “I had watched the sport at the Paralympic Games but did not know women could also try it.

“I did not pick the sport. The sport picked me because my original idea was to do open water swimming. But Para ice hockey allows me to train and to share nice moments with my daughter, which I love. The downside is that there are still not many women competing.”

In 2015, Villegas was called up to the US women’s second national team, becoming the only Latin player in the line-up. In 2016, she made it to the first team and, since then, has thrived for the USA as a forward.

The season starts in September and finishes in May, and Villegas plays for three different teams: a local one, the Florida state one, and of course the US team.

“For that reason, every weekend I am on the road going somewhere to compete for any of the three. I also go to the gym every day and follow an excellent nutritional plan. It is tough but for me it is a privilege to represent the USA.

“In four years, I would like to compete at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. I will continue training every day and believe the sport will keep growing a lot.”