Belarusian gymnast — about the tournament in Sochi, their hobbies and communication with fans.
One of the leaders of the Belarusian rhythmic gymnastics team was supposed to go to the World Championships in September, where she would fight for the highest places. But, alas, Belarusian athletes, like Russian ones, are not allowed to international starts. Currently, Anastasia is preparing to show herself at the Sky Grace — a unique tournament organized by the Alina Kabaeva Charitable Foundation. The competitions will be held in Sochi from December 2 to December 4.
— How is your mood at the end of the season?
— In general, everything is fine. I train, I study.
— How often is it possible to communicate with loved ones?
— I rarely meet with my relatives, since my parents live in Of Russia. That's why we see each other only twice a year. We call each other by video, exchange messages.
— How is the atmosphere in the Belarusian national team?
"I've been here a long time. I have been living in Minsk since 2014. It's already the ninth year, it turns out. In the national team, we are all great friends, communicate, support each other. Like one big sports family.
— Do you communicate with Russian gymnasts?
- yes. We periodically correspond with many girls, we ask each other how things are going. But I am well acquainted not only with Russian gymnasts, but also with gymnasts from other countries too.
— How are the trainings going? No problems with motivation?
— At the beginning of the year, it was, of course, a little difficult due to the fact that they banned performing at international competitions. Now they are more or less used to it. We have a sufficient number of internal starts. The national championship was recently held. Now as motivation — the tournament "Sky grace". And in December we will have the Republic Cup.
I praised myself — and continue to work in the gym
— Do you somehow encourage yourself after successful training sessions or performances?
— You know, probably not. I praised myself, said: "Well done!" — and then we work in the hall.
— What do you do outside of sports, do you have any hobbies?
— Because of sports, there is little free time. But I really like to read. I like different genres, depending on the mood. Sometimes I read classics or something psychological. Or detective stories, fantasy. Favorite book? Probably, there is no such thing. There are a few that have been remembered recently. These are "Say yes to life", "To yourself gently" and "Salty Path". And from the classics — "The Master and Margarita". I also like walking with friends. And healthy sleep is also like a hobby (laughs).
— Do you like to travel?
— Of course! I've always dreamed of traveling around Belarus. This year it has already started to work out. I visited Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Gomel. I still really want to go to Grodno, but it's not working out yet.
— Was there any memorable trip?
— There are a couple. Trips to Japan are always memorable, because it's a completely different world. Everything there is completely different from what we have. And, of course, travel to America.
— Is there a country where you dream of going?
— I have always wanted and still dream of going to the Faroe Islands. I want to see the incredible beauty of mountains, lakes, nature.
The coach will support you in everything
— They say you like figure skating. Do you follow the tournaments?
— I'm not looking too much this season yet. But I saw a couple of programs of figure skaters of the main team of Russia, for example Sasha Trusova. And I really liked the programs of Adelia Petrosyan, a little star. She surprised me.
— Do you follow football? Are you watching the World Cup?
— Just a glimpse. I'm not exactly a fan. But I'm interested, I'm looking at statistics.
— Do you go to any competitions?
— I often attend women's basketball. I support the Belarusian national team and the Horizon club.
— In August, at the Crystal Rose tournament, you won medals in the finals of individual sports and defeated Lala Kramarenko and the Averin sisters. How significant were these successes for you? After all, we beat very strong rivals.
— Of course, it's great that we managed to get ahead of such strong gymnasts. But it's not the first time we meet, we always try to fight with each other. Whoever showed the best result wins.
— You are a star in the Belarusian national team. Do they often find out on the street?
— Mostly not. And if they find out, they are surprised that I am so small (laughs). Because I seem taller on the court. Now my height is 1.60.
— Do fans give gifts? Was there something interesting, memorable?
— It is always very nice when small children give gifts made with their own hands at competitions. These are drawings, posters. Very pleasant. You can see that they really support you. And we wanted to please you.
— Do you communicate with fans on social networks?
— Yes, of course. If someone writes to me, I always try to answer, give a minute of attention. So that a person can see that I have read his message, I will like or thank you.
— I hope they write only good things.
— Yes, basically it is.
— Do you have an idol in sports?
— There are such people, and there are a lot of them. They surround me in the gym every day. This is Lyubov Cherkashina (Belarusian gymnast and coach. — Approx. "SE"), Larisa Gennadyevna Lukyanenko (Honored Coach of the Republic of Belarus. — Approx. "SE"), my coach Marina Vikentievna Lobach (the first Soviet Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics. — Approx. "SE"). When I was still in the national team, Katya Galkina and Alina Gornosko were idols for me. And, of course, Irina Yuryevna Leparskaya (head coach of the national team of Belarus. — Approx. "SE"). She always helps you move forward, never leaves you in the same place, always supports you in everything.
— Did you think what you would do after sports?
— I really want to try to become a coach. It attracts me, maybe it's mine. Now I am already in my third year, studying in a coaching specialty.
Ropes are very unusual
— What are your expectations from the upcoming Sky Grace tournament?
— I want to show myself in all its glory, what we have worked out. Including new exercises adapted to other rules.
— There will be exercises with a rope at the tournament. How do you like them?
— This is very unusual, the masters have not performed with this subject for a very long time. It's unusual to see adult girls with jump ropes. But it seems to me that it is very interesting, as something new. Maybe someone will demonstrate some findings. Maybe in the future they will return skipping ropes to the international level.
— Did you follow the "Sky Grace" last year?
— Yes, I did.
— Is the risk in sports justified at all?
— I think you should always take risks. Especially when it's something interesting — and only you do it.
— Do you have any music that you would like to put the program to?
— I've always dreamed of a ball tango. So far, this has not happened. I hope that it will work out sometime in the future.
Source: Sport-Express.