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Anastasia Grishina : 'My strength is my ability to concentrate'

Lupita provides a great translation of an interview with Anastasia Grishina, from the VTB's sports page.

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: ā€œIā€™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 donā€™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 somethingā€.
Anastasia Grishinaā€™s route in sport was not a bed of roses from the start: ā€œFirst, my parents took me to skating, but the coach said I was too old. I didnā€™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: ā€œFine, letā€™s try. We might achieve somethingā€.
At the European Championships



The problems that Nastia faces are not usual for a teenager. Recently her father suffered a myocardial infarction, her mother doesnā€™t work. Nastia states confidently: ā€œItā€™s not true that I provide for my family. My brothers helpā€. 
Her serious approach to the sport allows her to avoid making mistakes that young athletes make: ā€œŠœy 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 thereā€™s another danger: growing taller. You canā€™t help itā€. 
Grishina is not afraid of her rivals at the London Olympics. She is convinced sheā€™ll go to London: ā€œI donā€™t feel Iā€™ve been chosen personally, I feel a huge responsibility towards my country. It may sound too solemn but a sportspersonā€™s goal is to defend his/her countryā€™s honour. Itā€™s very important for all your dreams, all your efforts to come to fruition. 










 Many thanks, Lupita

Pictures courtesy of the RGF.

Comments

  1. 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!

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  2. Wow, 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.

    I hope she recovers from whatever injury she has and is able to help Russia fight for the gold medal if possible.

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