Study and Creativity Are Andrea's Keys to Keeping Fit
Lifting containers of water in the living room at home is a sport that no athlete, even in times of gloomy pessimism, has probably ever thought about. But in moments of total uncertainty, a little creativity is needed to keep fit. Andrea Benevelli, center-forward of Urania Milan in the A2 basketball league and student in the Master in Food and Beverage at SDA Bocconi School of Management, follows his trainer's program with what he has, making his own effort."There is some risk of getting chubby," says Andrea, "but it's worse for the athletes of individual sports, those who base everything on performance, than for us. My teammates and I have our plans to follow and we do it as much as possible at home and without specific tools. Using bottles instead of weights, if needed. Then there is diet, the other delicate aspect for an athlete forced to rest."
The basketball season is still in limbo, nobody knows if, how and when it will resume. And this generates a little concern, because there are many uncertainties in this regard, from competitive to economic. "Actually at the moment, in our specific case, there are no economic problems, but I think that, speaking more generally, a shared solution must be found between athletes, society and the Federation, with an effort on all parts".
As regards the psychological aspect, Andrea has a huge advantage over many of his colleagues, his studies: "The fact of attending the Master, which continues regularly in remote, keeps me mentally engaged. I've always thought, "continues Andrea Benevelli," regardless of this terrible emergency, that studying is essential for an athlete. To become a more complete person but also to guarantee a future that, as we know, comes all too soon". And, as he has seen in daily contacts with teammates, those who study or have a strong interest outside basketball are also those who are facing this situation with less difficulty.
It is tough, because the season, which began with understandable difficulties and some defeats due to inexperience ("Urania is a historic club, but had never made it to the A league", he says), had turned towards success: "At the moment we would have qualified for the playoffs ", says Andrea, "unfortunately this stoppage risks frustrating the great job we've done. But if we look at the positive side we have a great base from which to start next season, if this ends like this. "