Daria Rizaeva even on the day of the wedding, I visited the park by bicycle. Last week she won Russian Championship silver and her husband Irek won gold. We talked to him about BMX freestyle which remains unknown to the general public.
– I have always been impressed by this sport – it is very interesting and spectacular. Before that, I did karate for 15 years, there were a lot of rules, limits, – says Dasha. – I came to BMX freestyle 3.5 years ago, when the process of getting all this official part just started. Before that, even coaches, in fact, did not exist as such.
The mood has also changed. Now, it is not always possible to go and support your husband during the competition, because there is security. This was not the case before, and the competitions were of another energy.
– More drunk?
– Maybe. I don’t mean which is better or worse, but definitely different. This energy and this atmosphere attracted me – you ride, you train and no one tells you what and how to do it.
By the way, at first my husband was against skating. and two years later he said the following: “Imagine if you skated, we would travel together, go to competitions.”
– Your reaction?
“Husband, what are you doing?” Although no, he was still my boyfriend at the time, so: “Irek, what are you doing?” Eventually he asked me to write to his doctor, who removed my hernia a few years ago. And if he doesn’t mind, then why not start skating.
When did you have back problems?
– Then I got carried away with this sport, bought a bike, rode for a week or two and the problems started. I had surgery and didn’t even think about going back.
– Just hanging out?
– Yes. Worked, supported Irek.
— You are active on social media, trying to promote your sport. Why is BMX not as popular here as in Europe?
– There is too little media on this species and the general attention given to it. But he is so different from the others! Our figure skating is highly developed, and there the essence is the same as ours.
“The public there is different and the sport is not new.
“And the young guys can watch us. In other countries, all this is developed.
– When Irek did a project with the Kazan Kremlin, there were many publications in European media.
Yes, but we don’t pay enough attention to it. If desired, it would be possible to make it one of the most watchable. We girls don’t skate at the same level as the guys. But the guys are doing unrealistic tricks!
– Would you like to do an interesting project with women’s BMX freestyle? Do you already have ideas?
– I can’t say exactly yet, but I want the girls to be taken seriously in this regard too. It is clear that we are still losing ground. But we also love what we do. It shouldn’t be from the perspective of who’s cooler – guys or girls. BMX unites, we are one team.
In principle, you can come to any other country, take a walk in the park, see someone with a bicycle – and that’s it, you have a common theme. It’s really very cool. You can relate to anyone in the world just because they also ride a bike.
– You became the second in the championship of Russia. How in general with the level, with the competition in women’s BMX?
– Katyuha (Kruglova, triple Russian champion) is the most experienced. She has been riding for ten years. I’m three years old. Three years is nothing. Abroad, the girls have been riding for fifteen years. I started a new sport at 23 and competed against 16 year olds who have less fear and more passion. It is not that simple. But in general, I think our level is going up.
– What do your parents say? “Would it be better to marry a chess player”?
– Yes, they are used to it (laughs). I did karate, dance, swim. I have always played sports. By the way, they came to support us at the Russian Championship. Mom usually worries, never comes. And then she arrived.
– If I understand correctly, you still received the neurosurgeon’s approval?
– Yes, he said, drive, but carefully.
Did you show him videos or photos? He thought you would quietly go around in circles, but that’s not all…
He is also quite athletic. He seems to snowboard himself. He only asked not to do somersaults (laughs).
Source : MatchTV
