Pro ShotsSebas Diniz
NOS Schaatsen•vandaag, 10:31
Skater Sebas Diniz made his debut in the World Cup in sprint nation Japan last weekend. It wasn’t going to be the weekend he made that very long trip to Obihiro for.
He got no further than a fall in the first 500 meters and a dismal seventh place in the B group in his second race.
“I have now given it a place, but I can’t wait to race in Beijing next week,” says the 21-year-old specialist in the 500 meters in the second episode of the NOS Skating Podcast.
Jan Smeekens as idol
With his distinct specialty in the shortest distance, Diniz is an eccentric in the Dutch skating team. His former idol and fellow countryman Jan Smeekens walked this path about fifteen years ago and now the skater from Borne is following in his footsteps.
“In the past I have tried to train more all-round, but that did not improve my 1,000 meters at all, for example.” The focus is entirely on increasing its top speed. “I notice that since I train purely on that, even my kilometers are better,” the skater explains in the restaurant of his hotel in Obihiro.
Pride dominates Diniz after World Cup debut: ‘This is why you skate’
The specialization ensures that he is prescribed a very specific training schedule by the coaches of Team IKO. Sometimes the sprinter is only allowed on the ice twice a week.
“I find that difficult too. Because I’m a skater and you can only do that twice a week.” Diniz trains more than twice during those weeks, mainly in the weight room and also on the bike.
“The more rest I get, the better I become. Intensively, with quality and a lot of rest,” is the philosophy behind his meager training. A good example is the last training race for the season that he rode in mid-October. He didn’t even finish the 500 meters. His assignment was a good first 200 meters and then it’s done.
NOS Skating podcast
In the second episode of the NOS Skating podcast we also discuss the unrest in the team pursuit, the resilience of Jutta Leerdam and Ivanie Blondin’s dream to become a professional cyclist.
The podcast can be listened to for free NPO Luister-app and via the NPO Radio 1 website and app. But also via Spotify and Apple’s podcast app is the NOS Skating podcast to hear.
Diniz may be an exception in the Netherlands. Other people also train in this way abroad. Diniz’s role model is one of the best presenting men in the 500 meters in recent years. Canadian Laurent Dubreuil.
“I think he’s a really fantastic skater. The way he does his training,” says the skater with a big grin. “Then he steps onto the ice, drives 200 meters flat out, sits on a bench for five minutes and does it again.”
ANPDiniz during the World Cup qualifying tournament in Thialf in October
Diniz’s coaches Erwin and Martin ten Hove also found the inspiration for the schedule outside the ice rink. They visited the cycling track this summer to talk to the trainers of, for example, Harry Lavreysen and Jeffrey Hoogland. “They are now trying to apply methods and ideas about training that they heard there to me.”
It is a special profession. Sprinting on the ice. It’s all about the details and the 500 meter specialist enjoys that. “It’s taking risks in the 500 meters. Sometimes a fall. Sometimes a disqualification. But if you win, it’s extra nice.”
Next week in Beijing, Diniz will be in the B group in the first 500 meters. If he finishes in the top three there, we will see him back in the A group the same weekend.
2023-11-13 09:31:13
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