Star of Spain’s Olympic women’s water polo champions wants to send a message: Big is also beautiful

SINGAPORE – At Paris 2024, Paula Leiton scored a goal in the final and helped Spain beat Australia 11-9 to clinch her country’s first Olympic women’s water polo gold.

But all the online trolls wanted to do was body-shame the forward, as her 1.88m, 96kg frame was deemed not “normal” for a female athlete in their myopic view.

After contributing another goal in the 23-4 win over South Africa in their World Aquatics Championships Group D opener at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on July 11, the 25-year-old told The Straits Times: “At that moment, it was difficult, but I realised what is important is how I saw my own body, the support I received from my family and friends, and the Olympic gold medal.

“I know my body and I love it. Water polo is a brutal sport, and centre forwards like myself are involved in a lot of physical contact. The work I’ve done on my body, my strength, is what has allowed me to compete at a high level.

“We are bigger than the other positions, and this is the beauty of water polo. You can be a valuable player regardless of body type.”

Indeed, Leiton is big, bold and beautiful.

Born in Terrassa to parents who were equally big and tall, she also has a basketball-playing younger brother.

While Leiton started swimming when she was two, she switched to water polo four years later, played in the local professional league at just 12 and was called up to the national team at 15.

The support of her family and teammates helped her feel comfortable with her own body.

She recalled that when she was 10, she could not find clothes from the children’s section that could fit her, but felt reassured by her mother’s response.

“She made it feel normal (when she told me), ‘We’ll find it somewhere else, don’t worry. If not here, then somewhere else. It’s not your fault’. That attitude meant everything,” Leiton said in an earlier interview with Olympics.com.

“I was also lucky to find my place in water polo from a young age. That’s where I found my friendships, my confidence. It came naturally. I didn’t struggle to feel comfortable – I found joy in the water.”

She found lots of success in the pool too.

Affectionately nicknamed bebe gigante, or giant baby in Spanish, by national teammate and fellow 1.88m forward Maica Garcia, Leiton’s meteoric rise continued with a clutch of medals at the Olympics, European and world championships before the team’s historic win in Paris. Gold in Singapore would help her follow in Garcia’s footsteps and complete the triple crown.

Currently also pursuing a degree in teaching, she also wants to share her values with the younger generation and promote body diversity.

Leiton said: “I realised that what had happened to me, in such a huge moment like winning Olympic gold must be happening to so many other people too. When I finally spoke out, I realised I could help others. Now I understand that I have a platform and I want to use it to support others, to help people see themselves in my story.

“I tried to flip the narrative, and I think, so far, it’s working. The truth is, I can’t control what someone decides to post from behind their computer. What can I control? My response. And everything I said came from calm and respect. Sometimes we need to remember that our words have consequences.

“I feel it is important for young people and everyone out there to receive this message. I hope they find something fulfilling to do, and not let what others say affect them. Do what you enjoy, and do it for yourself.”

Across the pool, Leiton has already won the respect of her opponents.

Despite the heavy defeat, South Africa captain Shakira January told ST: “I think Paula is super brave and super confident, and I’m super happy that she’s normalising the thinking that not all women’s bodies are the same.

“She’s not just helping one girl, she’s helping millions in the world feel more comfortable and confident about their body shape and how they look at their body.”