Xavi Blanco, former world champion and Euro-African champion (Peru 2014 and Cadiz 2015), finished third in the Spanish Championship held in Tenerife. Now, like the rest of the great Spanish athletes, he awaits the decision on the national team for the World Cup in Brazil to be held in November.
Xavi, whose work-as well as his sport and passion-is deeply linked to the sea, gladly answered Apneapassion’s questions.
Valentina Prokic: When and how did your passion for spearfishing begin?
Xavi Blanco: My passion began at a very young age, at 11 years old, in the crystal clear waters of Tossa de Mar, following in the footsteps of my brother.
VP: What are your favorite spearfishing techniques and what fish do you like to catch?
Xavi Blanco: I consider myself a very versatile fisherman and I adapt to everything, always depending on the time of year or the type of fish I want to catch. But what really fulfills me is the Aspetto technique, where I catch dentex and amberjacks. I also enjoy deep drop-offs to catch big groupers.
Competitions and National Selection
VP: When did you start competing and why do you like to compete? You have been competing in international competitions for a long time, having won the world title 11 years ago.
Xavi Blanco: I started when I was 16 years old, which is when you are allowed to compete here in Catalonia. First, because I am very competitive, but where I have really learned to fish has been competing. Thanks to the competition, I have been improving myself, and this gives me a lot of motivation.
VP: You won the bronze medal at the national championship. How was the championship in Tenerife? Did you participate in the national team for the World Championship?
Xavi Blanco: Yes, the truth is that I am very happy with the result, since I could only prepare for five days because I was working. But, when I studied the area, I realized the strategy I had to follow and the main species I had to catch to be able to be on top. I’m super motivated about the World Championship in Brazil and waiting for the decision of the selectors.
VP: This year is the World Championship in Brazil, can Spain repeat the results of Laredo?
Xavi Blanco: Spain, as everyone knows, has great fishermen and can achieve great results.
Champion in the Mares Team
VP: You are a Mares athlete, what Mares products do you particularly like?
Xavi Blanco: Yes, and I am very happy for the trust they place in me. Besides, they are always developing new products. For example, one of the ones I like the most right now are the X-Wing fins. I also feel very comfortable with the Polygon suit and the Strike spearguns.
VP: What has been your best and most emotional capture – can you tell us a few words about it?
Xavi Blanco: The best, by far, was a 300 kg tuna. I remember that I was in the middle of the blue, surrounded by tuna weighing between 70 and 100 kg, waiting for a big specimen, and suddenly this 300 kg tuna appeared, and it was killed with a single shot.
VP: Any words about your work?
I work in the sea, which is my great passion, in a tuna fishing vessel in L’Ametlla de Mar, and being able to dedicate myself to what I like is priceless.
