Viktoria Komova - 'In general, I'm rarely sad' - interview with Sports Express

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Viktoria Komova interview by Vladimir Ivanov, Russian language source - http://www.sport-express.ru/artistic-gymnastics/reviews/884027/

The World Champion told Sports Express' correspondent about her expectations right before her first international competition in three years.

At the Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore Victoria Komova won three gold medals.  The athletics legend Yelena Isinbayeva was so inspired by Vika's performance that she ran to congratulate her on all the successes.  A year later, Komova won gold on the uneven bars at her first World Championships and in the fight for the AA lost by a paltry 0.033.  Viktoria cried.  There were no tears a year later when the Voronezh athlete was considered favourite for Olympic gold in the all-around.  But an unfortunate mistake in the vault meant that she could not beat the American Gabrielle Douglas.

The worst problems began after Komova returned home with a silver medal from London 2012.  Before the New Year Vika sprained her ankle getting out of a car.  She recovered, returned to the gym and on her first training ... had a relapse.  Plaster and crutches.  Vika did not even think of retirement. The sportswoman rehabilitated, restored her programme and was ready for the Russian Cup in 2014.  However, just a few days before the start of the competition she came down with serious meningitis with an enteroviral infection.

Komova did not have time to recover for the April 2015 European Championships.  However, at the same time the coaching staff began to leak information: Vika will compete at the first European Games in Baku.  And so it turned out - the 20-year-old athlete Aliya Mustafina, along with Seda Tutkhalyan also made the Russian team. Sports Express' correspondent spoke with Viktoria.  To be honest, I was ready to see in Viktoria's eyes the sadness and weariness of her struggle with external circumstances.  In front of me stood a smiling, cheerful girl, whose optimism would be enough for all the athletes who are at the moment on "Round Lake".

Via the gymnastics group on VK.com

- That's just how I am - Komova laughed, listening to my observation. - In general, I'm rarely sad.

- And then there's the long-awaited competition ahead. I bet you're thinking of the days before leaving for Baku.

- Yes.  The calendar currently has a line through every day (laughs).   I can't wait to get on board. Only then, most likely, will I feel calmer.

- After a series of bizarre injuries you most probably try to control the slightest movement?

- It became ridiculous. Sometimes in my sleep, I dreamed that I hurt the leg. I shuddered and woke up in a cold sweat. Immediately I tried to move my foot and then exhaled. And now, I am aware of every movement. Sometimes even just getting out of bed.

- The first steps after injuries are the most difficult?

- Exactly. I was afraid of absolutely everything: walking, running, jumping. Each new movement was a test.

- How is it possible to be back working in the gym?

- Somehow I pulled myself together and said: "Everything will be okay, that's enough of being afraid."

- A bit like when people give up smoking, you just have to throw out negative thoughts?

- More or less. It's better to use your energy on workout at the gym.

- You came back after a succession of injuries - because you are inspired by the thought of yet another Olympics?

- Not only.  I'm also inspired by the thought of going to Baku.

- At the same time the coaching staff have recently questioned your participation in the European Games. Saying, the ankle is still bothering you.

- To be honest, it was all about the score during testing - you could only say anything after we had performed.

- How many people were involved?

- For the three places there were four girls.  Aliya Mustafina, me and two younger girls.

- Do you think the test was successful?

- Not really.  I did averagely - there were mistakes, falls. But I have shown a programme from which I can make a start.

- Physically you can do all around now without any problems?

- In this regard, I am ready.

- Do not say that you are not afraid to go to your first big tournament in three years.

- Yes, the thought of going back to competition for Russia, with the audience, is a little nerve wracking. Even now. Three years is a lot. But I hope I will go OK.

- Last year you participated in a display competition ...

- In Mexico. I was so worried, it was just incredible! I was standing on the beam, I had the shakes, and the beam did too. I thought to myself, "Vika, what's up?!"

- What if Baku will be the same?

- Now I have a large safety margin. I am becoming more confident.  In testing, I did enough to feel more or less calm.

- What were you afraid of?

- Falling. I understand that after the break I will not be condemned for it, but it is still a worry.

- In childhood you had no fear?

- No. But then I had one competition right after another, and now I have had a long break. Now the situation is quite different.

- What was the most difficult moment during these three years?

- Each of the injuries. After the last one I thought: there is always something happening - it never ends - I'm finished with the sport. But then I realized that for me exercise is like a drug. There is nothing to do but go to the gym. I think I will not be able to give it up until I die.

- Well, after silver in London you were going to quit.

- Yeah, for as much as 15 minutes.

- Your conflict with coach Gennady Elfimov - that was another emotional outburst?

- Yes. It was very hard. One injury was replaced by another.  Accumulated moral fatigue. At some point I could not stand it.

- What happened then?

- I began slowly to recover with guidance from the experts at training camp. And then I realized that without my coach I couldn't get anywhere. He is for me - he is like family.

- You approached him?

- Yes, I called and said: "I need you, I can not train without you."

- How long did it take to understand this?

- About three months.

- You very much like the competition. What are you missing the most?

- Adrenaline, the audience, clapping after a good performance. It's such a thrill - you land successfully, there is applause, you run and hug the coach.

- What result in Baku will be enough for your self-satisfaction?

- Gold Medal.

- So soon? In the all-around?

- Yes Yes. Probably, I will fight it out with Aliya.

- Elfimov said that you do not need to set new programmes, but just re establish all the London ones.

- Yes. Although we do have something to add. While I will not say what it is, I hope to show new elements and connections in Baku.

- On uneven bars?

- And on the floor.

- Will you be able to compete with the Americans?

- At the moment my routines are not yet sufficiently polished and restored, but for the World Championships everything should be fine.  I am saying nothing about the Olympics!

- But Rio won't be the end?

- No no. I will compete as much as I can!