Anna Dementyeva is a name that many overlook when considering possibilities for next year's Russian Olympics team. This quiet, but feisty, gymnast is recognised by national team coach Alexander Alexandrov as the hardest worker on the Russian team. Fans appreciate Anna for her balletic power and precision. Dementyeva was an indispensable part of last year's Russian team gold medal at the Rotterdam World Championships. She anchored the team with a confident performance on beam, and set the scene on floor with a routine that was unrivalled for its expression, line and amplitude. Despite a below par competition at the Tokyo World Championships this autumn, Anna is also amongst the most decorated gymnasts on the Russian team, as reigning Russian, Russia Cup and European all around champion.
Anna, born on the 28th December 1994, trains with her coach Elena Zhiganova in her hometown of Samara. She recorded this Champion's Monologue for Sportbox in July. Lupita's translation of Dementyeva's words provide a moving insight into this artistic gymnast's mentality.
A champion’s monologue
I was 4 years old when my mum took me to gymnastics. I enjoyed what the girls were doing. I turned to my mum and told her that I was going to become a gymnast.
My first important competition was in 2008. I went to European championships. When I became team champion, I was 12-13 years old. It’s impossible for me to say what my favourite event is. I can say that beam is a difficult event. It’s 10 cm wide. It’s a difficult one. It’s worth it to fight to overcome fear little by little.
When you come up on the podium, you’ve the feeling that everyone is watching only you. You may fall and fail, not perform well. But this instant is over.
You have support from your friends, your personal coach, the head coach, your family. All this helps to fight to overcome your nerves and your fear. I think you can overcome fear.
My hope is to make the Olympics in London and to win a medal in the team competition, even the gold medal.
Many thanks to Lupita for all her hard work.
Video courtesy of Yoliss94 at Youtube.
thanks so much for posting translations of the Russian features/articles!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lupita for your translations
Much appreciated!!
WOW. Thanks, had been hoping for this. Anna sounds so modest and sweet here. Many thanks to Lupita and Rewriting Russian Gymnastics.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. Always nice to hear such insights from a gymnast that I really like. Thanks
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