Interview with world Champion Anna Rizatdinova

18.06.2019

Bronze medalist of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (2016), World Champion in the hoop event (2013), repeated prize-winner of the World and European Championships - Anna Rizatdinova visited Nur-Sultan and gave a master class with young gymnasts in the Saryarka Cycling Track.

Anna Sergeevna, welcome to Kazakhstan! Thank You for taking the time to interview.

- Anna, is this your first time in Kazakhstan? And what is your impression of our country?

- This is the third time I am in your country and I am very impressed by the sports facilities in Kazakhstan. First of all, I take notice of the sports training centers and the attitude on sports. You have a separate sports facility for each sport. I wish we had such centers in Ukraine, we have one sports palace for all sports. Your capital has all the opportunities to host universiades, gymnasiades, and there is a space for the Olympic village. I very much like the attitude of your people and the State towards sports.

- These days you gave a master class for young gymnasts. In your opinion, what is the aptitude of the athletes?

- I've traveled almost the whole world, devoted 2 years to master classes and saw children of different levels. The level of girls going in for gymnastics in Kazakhstan is very high, you have a strong generation growing up here. They just have to withstand the loads. At first glance, this sport seems to be an easy one, in fact, psychologically and physically it is very difficult.

- At what age should one start doing rhythmic-sportive gymnastics?

- I started playing sports at the age of 5, I think the best age to start is from four, five years and not earlier. No need from an early age to make children Olympic champions, after all, it's an unpredictable sport. Personally I didn’t know if I’d be a world champion, and everything started working out for me only after I was 20. Most importantly, it is necessary to interest the child, so she is into it, so that she would eagerly rush to the training sessions, then just watch her, help her, at the elementary level you do not need to force the child, to go on diets or drive her to the gym.

- What do you like better – to be an active athlete or a coach?

- Both sides are very complicated. Now looking back, I do not understand how it was possible to train in such a non-stop schedule, know no normal life. You are basically detached from everything, all you have is sport, and going in this mode 17 years, it's insanely difficult. There is no such thing that you're exhausted or become ill, you always keep on pushing to the limit of your capabilities. When I was preparing for the Olympic Games, I was not interested in anything else, and did not smile, and did not look at anything, did not pay attention to anything. There was one goal – to win a medal in Rio de Janeiro and that's it! On the way to the Olympic Games for 4 years you are in blindfolded state, and that was difficult. Now I live a calmer, more interesting life, I enjoy life.

- In the Saryarka cycling track there are many sports sections, which are attended by children. What would be your advise to rising athletes?

- Give yourself completely to your favorite occupation, if you like sports, then give it a hundred and ten percent. The lifespan of an athlete is short, so you need to devote your favorite sport most of the time. Somewhere abandon playgrounds, walks, it is better once more to go to the gym, but then all your life you will be proud of your medals and tell your children, grandchildren about your victories and achievements. This is what we come to this world for, that is, with our mission. Sport gives you the opportunity to find yourself from an early age.

Thank you for the interesting interview and we wish you good luck in your personal life and coaching.

Press Service of the Cycling OTC 

 Anna @anna_rizatdinova

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