Name: Ariane Fortin
CAN Fund Recipient Since: 2015
Sport: Boxing
Best Result:
2x World Champion
Currently ranked 3rd in the world
Hometown: Levis, QC
Horoscope Sign: Scorpion
On The National Team Since: 2004
How does being a CAN Fund Recipient make a difference for?
The funding is making a huge difference for me because it will pay for my plane ticket and accommodation fees when I go to the World Championships in Kazakhstan (February 2016) to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
Think of someone who has impacted your life. Share 3 words on who they are to you.
My Parents – Love, Balance, Generosity
My parents are my best support. They have extraordinary during my entire career. They have supported me since the very beginning (despite being not so thrilled that I chose boxing!). They are still my biggest supporters and travel to watch me compete whenever they can. My Mom especially was always there to make sure that I kept a balance and stayed in sport for the right reasons.
What is the biggest hurdle you have overcome to get to where you are today?
I first made the national team in 2004 and then for 3 years (2010 to 2012) I wasn’t able to make the “A” national team, losing close fights every year to my main opponent in Canada. Each of those 3 years, I worked harder and harder, convinced that I’d finally be rewarded for my efforts but unfortunately I didn’t reach my objective of making the team any of those 3 years. Then, in 2013, my efforts finally paid off, and I had a very successful year at the international level in 2014. I’m proud of my performances, but I am prouder of my perseverance. They say “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”… I really understood the meaning of that when I got back on the international circuit in 2014. I know now that the hard times that I had during those 3 years made me a better athlete and a stronger person.
What is the best part about representing Canada?
The travelling is surely a great advantage of being on the national team. We have the chance to be in contact with different cultures, which broadens our horizon. We also have the opportunity to make friends all around the world. It’s very rewarding and motivating to know that we can be seen as examples by the young Canadians and to have a positive influence on them.
How did you get involved in your sport?
It’s very cliché but I saw the movie Girlfight when I was 16. I had always participated in sports like swimming, soccer and volleyball mainly but never in combat sports and nothing too competitive. Two friends of mine were training at the boxing gym at the time so, when I saw the movie, I started going to the gym with them. I just fell in love with it as soon as I started throwing punches and learning the technique!
What are your words to live by or your motto?
Rise above
What do you value most in your friends?
Integrity and honesty, over anything else!
Best advice you have received?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because you’ll learn more that way.
Biggest lesson you have learned to get to where you are today?
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! ☺
If you weren’t a Canadian athlete you would be…?
Probably somewhere in the world backpacking! ☺
What is your favourite thing about being on the road with your teammates?
Just being with them is fun! We have such a great team spirit and we laugh a lot!
What three items do you take with you on every road trip?
Music, bear paws and a ton of clean underwear!
What are your hobbies?
Sleeping! Lol, I love sleeping. I wish there was more than 24 hours in a day so I could sleep at least 15!
What is your favourite book?
I really liked Chantal Petitclerc’s book about her 2008 Olympic journey.
What is your favourite tv series?
FRIENDS. It’s a classic. I’ve seen the whole thing 1000 times and I don’t get tired of it!
What is a healthy snack you eat before or after training sessions?
Before: bear paws
After: sushi
Do you have a favourite recipe, what is it?
Spinach and feta cheese omelet.
Twitter: @AryFortin
Facebook Fan Page: Ariane Fortin
