Kristina Pravdina: I can cope with all negative emotions
By Amina Nazarli
Women's gymnastics is one of the disciplines that will be held at the European Games in Baku this June. The strongest gymnasts of the continent will compete in six categories including team standings, a private all-around and individual species - on the Balance Beam, uneven bars, jumping and floor exercises.
National gymnast Kristina Pravdina is one of the contenders which will represent Azerbaijan at this large-scale sporting event. The press service of the Gymnastics Federation presents an interesting interview with the athlete, who shared a lot interesting facts about her life, as well as her future plans.
Question: How did you turn to gymnastics? Why did you
choose this sport?
Answer: I have a sports family and as a child, I
had no one to stay at home with. Therefore, my parents decided to
send me to gymnastics classes. Since then I am engaged in it.
First, I just ran around the hall, staring at the gymnasts, and
then the coach saw me and offered to start doing gymnastics.
Q: Could you have a good performance in other
sports?
A: I think I would be able to achieve results in
other sports as well. I quickly grasp something new, but as you can
see, I have not changed my decision, because I am in love with
gymnastics.
Q: How do you deal with the emotions on the competition
day? Are there any special secrets for self-control?
A: Earlier there were some emotions and now, after
a long break, it is not so scary any more. I know that I have done
all of this previously, and therefore I am able to cope with all
the emotions. I don't have special secrets for self-control.
Q: What do you think is the most important in any
sport?
A: Diligence. If one works – there will be a
result.
Q: How dangerous is it to be engaged in professional
sports, or it depends on the sports?
A: Depends on the sports. Each sport is difficult
in its own way. Gymnastics, especially, artistic gymnastics is a
very traumatic sport. However, we are keeping everything under
control to avoid unnecessary injuries. From childhood, we are
taught how to properly drop down and etc.
Q: Do you have a sport's idol?
A: Previously, it was Svetlana Khorkina, and now it is Aliya Mustafina, a real fighter. I know her personally, and I think many people watched her performance at the European Championships when she was injured. Besides her, I am watching the successes of Romanians Larisa Iordache and American Simone Biles, whose complex exercises just impress me.
Q: Tell us about your plans for near
future.
A: To win more medals! We must rise to the big
stages. For this, we shall work and complicate our programs. This
year's first competition will be the Azerbaijan’s Open Championship
to be held in March, and then there will be the World Cup. Of
course very important events are coming such as the European
Championships and the European Games. Time is short and each
training session is important for us.
Q: What do European Games mean for you and how do you
prepare for them?
A: I believe that this is a very big event, like
the Youth Olympic Games, which were discussed a lot. Therefore, the
European Games will also be in the spotlight to have good results
in the uneven bars and balance beam. There is a good prospect. We
will gradually increase the load and achieve stability.
Q: If you stay a little bit away from the sport - do you
have any aspirations or dreams that you want to
implement?
A: Five years ago, after an injury, I thought
about what I will do next. I tried to work in a few places, but I
decided finally to remain in gymnastics. I am professional here and
want to stay, and to bring up new generations of my own champions
as a coach.
Q: Are you able to combine successfully sport and normal
life?
A: Why not? If you do not combine them, you will
collapse. It is necessary to be able to combine them all, as I was
told before - with studying. Studying was very hard because it also
took strength. With a normal life, it is easier. There is not as
much time as the others have, but it is enough.
Q: Tell us about your family.
A: My mother is a sports master in artistic
gymnastics and acrobatics, and an international referee. My father
used to be a gymnast. It is a normal sports family.
Q: Do you have a loved one?
A: No, I am free as a bird (laughing).
Q:What do your fans usually shout, and what you want to
hear from them?
A: I don’t notice – there is only apparatus and
me. I do not notice what's going on around me. On the floor and
jumping there are usually more emotions from the fans.
Q: What would you like to tell them?
A: I thank them for supporting me. And wish them all the best!