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Anna Pavlova interview - YOU ask the questions

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Anna with her team mate Maria Nekrasova today.   Maria competed in this spring's Russia Cup and will join Anna on the Azerbaijan national gymnastics team.  Picture courtesy of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation on Facebook.

As Anna prepares to compete at this week's Voronin Cup, representing Azerbaijan for the first time, RRG, in collaboration with Anna's authorised website Anna Pavlova Online, would like to invite readers to submit their questions for an interview with Anna.  What have you always wanted to ask one of Russia's best gymnasts of the last decade?

Each reader may submit up to three questions.  We will collate and if necessary edit the questions and Anna will answer the ones she finds most interesting.  Please add your questions as comments to this blog, or you may email them to me at rewriterussiagym@btinternet.com.  We hope to publish the final interview on both websites by Christmas.

Many of you must dream of having a conversation with Anna - this is the next best thing, so come on, make sure to participate in this exciting opportunity and try to make it the interview you would want to read.   I already know what my questions will be!  :-)   Please send your ideas or comments by 8th December latest.

With many thanks to Anna Pavlova Online, who are making this possible, and of course to Anna herself for finding the time in her busy schedule to answer your questions.




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Comments

  1. Anonymous3 December 2013 at 18:15

    1) Is she planning any upgrades and how's her training going so far?
    2) Does she want to make the all-around final at the Olympics or she just wants to focus on some event final, like vault since it's her best apparatus?
    3) I would really like to know what she thinks of Mustafina and the rest of the senior team of Russia

    ReplyDelete
  2. samusama3 December 2013 at 18:16

    Hi Anna, firstly I must say that I have always been a fan of your gymnastics and have always wanted to see you back in competition. This news really made me even happier as a gymnastics fan and I can't wait to see you compete..

    My questions would be:

    1. What are the upgrades that you plan to incorporate in your routines to make them competitive at the international stage?

    2. You've always had a natural talent at vault and you've said so in the past that it is your favorite event. Are you planning to do a 2nd vault to be able to qualify at vault finals? Do you think you can still compete the Amanar?

    3. Who do you think are the top Russian gymnasts right now?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anna3 December 2013 at 18:18

    This is my question for Anna: In my opinion you have always been a gymnast who can combine power and high difficulty with beautiful artistry. How would you define artistry in gymnastics and do you think that artistry and dancing has enough importance in the sport today? / Anna from Sweden

    ReplyDelete
  4. Peter G. Shilston3 December 2013 at 18:21

    Anna: What has motivated you to keep competing, well after the age when most women gymnasts have retired?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4 December 2013 at 22:56

      Maybe..is she another Chusovitina? :P ;)

      Delete
  5. Alyssia3 December 2013 at 18:22

    How do you look back at your performances in previous World Championships and Olympics? Are you proud of your results, or do you wish anything was different?
    Good luck with your training and I hope to see you compete on an international stage soon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous3 December 2013 at 18:33

    I hope I can submit questions as anonymous.
    1. How hard was the decision to switch nationalities and for how long she's been considering it
    2. will she actually move to Azerbaijan and work with new coaches or she'll stay in Russia, keep being coached by her mother and just represent Azerbaijan in international competitions
    3. What does she think of the rodionenkos and how they handle the russian program

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous3 December 2013 at 18:35

    In your opinion, what ability do you have that makes you better/different from other gymnasts? / Iris from the Netherlands

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous3 December 2013 at 20:39

    Anna first of all I want to say your gymnastics is beautiful and I'm so happy that you get a chance to compete again!

    1. Did the rodionenkos have any objections to you switching nationalities and what did they say to you if anything?

    2. Despite being an accomplished gymnast do you think that your age will hinder your chances of competing in Rio in 2016?

    3. Was it hard to leave behind your old teammates in Russia?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous3 December 2013 at 21:09

    first of all I want to say that Anna is one of my favourite gymnasts and was one of the best since 2000, altough the medals don't prove it. People are always interested in Aliya an Vika, now I want to get to know Anna better.
    1) what do you like to do besides gymnastics? which job in future or what to do with friends..
    2) do you have a boyfriend? how do you manage private life and sport?
    3) how were you able to not give up when things were hard and sometimes not fair?
    greetings from Austria :))

    ReplyDelete
  10. John3 December 2013 at 21:53

    1. Do you know if there are invitations to compete for Aze or any other country to any other gymanst in the russian team?
    2. what do you think of Alexandrov' era as head coach ...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown4 December 2013 at 00:10

    Anna:
    1. How did you make the decision to compete for Azerbaijan, was it difficult? What was the deciding factor that impacted your final decision?
    2. You have such beautiful flexibility and lines. how do you manage to maintain your flexibility? Are you naturally flexible?
    3. You're coached by your mother, how does having your mother as you coach help your gymnastics? How do you guys keep your mother and daughter relationship separate from your coach/athlete one?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous4 December 2013 at 03:50

    First of all, I want to say that Anna, I love your gymnastics and you will go down in history as one of the most popular and loved gymnasts of all time!
    1. Do you have any upgrades or new skills that you will be adding to your routines and what skills would they be?
    2. Since your mother is your coach, is she now a coach for both Azerbaijan and Russia?
    3. Are any other Russian gymnasts switching nations rather it be Azerbaijan or another nation that you know of?
    Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous4 December 2013 at 17:57

    Anna, you are one of my all-time favorite gymnasts. Few have been able to combine power and difficulty with grace and beauty like you do. We are so thrilled to see you in major international competition.
    1. What has motivated you to keep training and competing after your knee injury and after being overlooked for several world and european teams during the last quad?
    2. What do you think of the all-around results at the 2004 Olympics? Do you feel that you were cheated out of a bronze medal?
    3. What are your goals in gymnastics and after gymnastics in the coming years?
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous4 December 2013 at 23:28

    I only have one question. I'd like to ask how much prize money Anna wins annually from the meet she competes in? . thanks

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous6 December 2013 at 01:45

    Anna, for so many years you have epitomized the elegant, balletic side of artistic gymnastics. Has classical dance always been a part of your training regime?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Unknown6 December 2013 at 17:35

    Anna you're one of my all time favorite gymnasts,and your routines were just beautiful,especially the floor routine in the 2008 Olympic AA.I'm so happy to see you back to international competition and I hope that you will succeed.How did you live your Olympic experiences and what differentiated one from the other?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous6 December 2013 at 17:58

    1) Have you had any bad experiences with the rodionenkos?
    2) What was the most major setback you have had in your gymnastics career and how did you get past that?
    3) What was your favorite competition you ever competed in?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous7 December 2013 at 22:53

    Anna,

    1) What upgrades have you planned? I am confident that you can upgrade your vault. Please keep the artistry in your floor exercise.
    2) How long do you plan on competing?
    3) What do plan to do when you retire? I know you will keep on competing as long as you can.

    You are one of my favorite gymnastics and I have always liked your floor exercise.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous8 December 2013 at 00:19

    Anna, firstly I want to say thank you for all that you have brought to gymnastics, I think your gymnastics is the most beautiful of all. all your performances are just wonderful to watch and I admire your dedication to the sport and to artistry. I am so glad you now have an opportunity to compete again. :D

    my questions:

    1: who chooses your floor music and do you get any say in your dance and choreography on floor?

    2: what music do you like to listen to? favourite bands?

    3: how long do you train for and what is your daily schedule?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous8 December 2013 at 03:52

    Hi Anna! Thank you so much for giving us fans the chance to ask you questions! You are one of my all time favorite gymnasts, and your beautiful performances at the 2008 Olympic games were a big reason for why I became an avid fan of gymnastics. Echoing what others before me have said, I am extremely excited and overjoyed that you will again be able to compete in international competitions because your presence in gymnastics is so special. I wish you the best health for the future and look forward to watching you in future competitions!

    Here are my questions:
    1. What are some of your favorite gymnastics memories (childhood gymnastics memories, funny memories in training, good memories in competitions, etc.)?
    2. What are some of the achievements you are most proud of in your career?
    3. What inspires and pushes you on a daily basis?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous8 December 2013 at 14:55

    Anna, you are my favourite gymnast :D:D

    what is your favourite skill to perform?

    are there any skills you would love to learn to do?
    and what is the hardest skill for you?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Unknown8 December 2013 at 15:45

    1. Which of your medals are you most proud of?
    2. You've done many great floor routines, which one is your favorite?
    -Cece from America

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous10 December 2013 at 13:09

    In 2004 was it difficult to put up with all the media focusing on Khorkina when you deserved better scores than what you got on every event? How can you explain that? In an interview on your website you say that Ponor won with very simple routines on floor and beam. Do you feel that the Russian Federation didn't give you enough support?

    ReplyDelete

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