Lupita provides a great translation of an interview with Anastasia Grishina, from the VTB's sports page.
The problems that Nastia faces are not usual for a teenager. Recently her father suffered a myocardial infarction, her mother doesn’t work. Nastia states confidently: “It’s not true that I provide for my family. My brothers help”.
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| Anastasia Grishina on beam at the recent European Championships. |
Anastasia Grishina (16)
In spite of her young age,
Anastasia is not shy when she talks to journalists: “I’m often surrounded by
people older than me. I have three older brothers. The oldest is a Master of Sport
in boxing, the second one used to practice football and the youngest played
chess. I also played chess. Our parents took us to gymnastics for our
development. My brothers don’t do gymnastics any more and they even tried to
convince my mum not to take me to the club. Yet, I liked it very much. I wanted
to prove that I was able to do something”.
Anastasia Grishina’s route in
sport was not a bed of roses from the start: “First, my parents took me to
skating, but the coach said I was too old. I didn’t know if they would take me
in any sporting discipline at all. I was lucky. Olga Sikkoro, my first coach,
saw me and said: “Fine, let’s try. We might achieve something”.
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| At the European Championships |
The problems that Nastia faces are not usual for a teenager. Recently her father suffered a myocardial infarction, her mother doesn’t work. Nastia states confidently: “It’s not true that I provide for my family. My brothers help”.
Her serious approach to the
sport allows her to avoid making mistakes that young athletes make: “Мy
strength is my ability to concentrate. In fact, every gymnast is afraid of
herself. A lack of confidence and fear are our worst enemies. And there’s
another danger: growing taller. You can’t help it”.
Grishina is not afraid of her
rivals at the London Olympics. She is convinced she’ll go to London: “I don’t
feel I’ve been chosen personally, I feel a huge responsibility towards my
country. It may sound too solemn but a sportsperson’s goal is to defend his/her
country’s honour. It’s very important for all your dreams, all your efforts to
come to fruition.
Many thanks, Lupita
Pictures courtesy of the RGF.
I adore this gymnast! I really do!!! Unless Komova and Mustafina hit in qualifications, there is a high chance Grishina may be in that AA final - well we can only hope. And there is TF! I wonder if she has her amanar yet? I remember interviews where she was adamant that the 6.5 start value vault was her only chance for the top rankings. She is a classical, beautiful gymnast in every sense of the word! Wishing her all the best in London!
ReplyDeleteWow, I don't' think many of us realize that some of these gymnasts have a hard life at times. Her dad had a heart attack and her mom doesn't work. It isn't easy for her, fortunately she has siblings as well.
ReplyDeleteI hope she recovers from whatever injury she has and is able to help Russia fight for the gold medal if possible.