We enter the studio of the artist Gregory Berben in Le Suquet, and immediately, the penetrating gaze of Eva Yaneva grabs us. Brown twisted hair, fine features, and those lively eyes, which display all their determination.
Of course, the face image is frozen on the painting signed by Gregory Berben and John Mejia, based on a photo by Thomas Couvreur. But the canvas, which must integrate the “Life Stories” project (read elsewhere), expresses the entire reality of a fight. And the extraordinary character of the champion. “The hardest thing for me was not smiling during the photoshoot “, laughs the person concerned, also present in the flesh. As sunny as she is warrior, Eva Yaneva. And yet, God knows if she had to face adversity…
First on the volleyball courts, where this receptionist-attacker (number 4) triumphed with Racing Cannes and Volero Cannet, during a sporting career which also introduced her to the world.
Cancer as a formidable adversary
Several French championship titles and two podiums in the Champions League have rewarded the Bulgarian's career. But Eva's greatest victory was over illness. While she had become a star player in Japan, ovarian cancer suddenly revealed herself as a formidable opponent eleven years ago.
Express operation, shock treatment, remission. But unless she loses her life, or sacrifices a brilliant career that she was able to prolong, Eva will lose an intimate treasure. A promise of the future. Because his heart, like his body, does not come out completely unscathed.
“I asked the surgeon if I could have children, he replied coldly: No, it's not okay! You could have died!”
Words like knife blades. And a dream that shatters like shattered china.
Bruised body, but still beating heart!
“During my entire sporting career, I missed my family in Bulgaria, which is very close-knit. But I told myself that all this was so that I could one day start my own family. After this announcement, I I cried all night, for three whole days.”
Distress. Sadness. Knees on the ground. But Eva has acquired this mentality of steel, which encourages you to always get back up. “When I was a player in Cannes, coach Yan Fang always told me: you have no choice, you have to win!”
With a beating heart, Eva continued to play and win, until her forces laid down their arms, at almost 40 years old. And the resilient woman did not abandon her “childhood dream”, via adoption. Even if it means raising her alone, as a single person, if she doesn't find an ideal partner to team up in this match of a new life. Eva Yaneva, not one to back down when it comes to hitting the net!
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