Lilia Akhaimova , Tokyo Olympic team champion, came to Kaluga for the Russian Cup in artistic gymnastics as a spectator. After the Olympics, our women’s four was only able to bring two to the World Championships in Japan – Melnikova and Urazova. Akhaimova and Listunova missed the tournament. Then Melnikova took a break – she was not at the Russian championship in Kazan. But Listunova returned, who won the all-around in this Czech Republic.
And now, at the Russian Cup, Melnikova, Urazova and Listunova are already present as participants, however, the latter makes only one appearance. Akhaimova still misses competitions, although it is impossible to say that she looks like a gymnast who has finished her career.
She told what was happening now in Lilia’s life on the day of the all-around final.
– What is happening now, is it a break in your career or its end?
– Due to the fact that I had a very difficult process of preparing for the Olympics and age affects, there are a large number of injuries that prevent me from working at full strength. Right now, my career is on hold. After all, everyone knows that in order to work in the national team you have to “plore”. But health still does not allow it.
How do you heal wounds?
– Of course, treatment is necessary, as well as recovery. After the Olympics, a year passed and it got easier. I can do physical activity, but if we talk about professional sports, unfortunately I can’t find anything that will really relieve me of the pain. But, in principle, I could never find it and, unfortunately, I had to put up with it.
Tolerate or work on painkillers?
– We have good doctors at the base of Lake Krugloye, who relieved the pain, making it bearable. Well, when there is a goal, the pain goes by the wayside. But still, it is impossible to last forever, so for now – so.
– Before that, they spoke of the body, now of the soul. Did you manage to restart psychologically one year after the Games?
– It worked very well. I realized that I had come all this way and I feel gratitude, first of all, to my parents, who took the very first big step – to leave the Far East. I am grateful to the coaches who worked with me, to the whole team. Probably there was a pleasant realization that right now I was doing the best I could.
– What have you been doing for a year?
– She graduated from the magistrature of Lesgafta, attended the courses of the financial university of Smolensk. I also intend to study, that is, I immersed myself in education.
– Courses at the financial university – what is the direction of education?
– Sports management.
Do you consider yourself a coach?
– To be honest, at the moment I would not like to be a coach. I look at my coaches, those who have worked with me, and I understand that it is very difficult work. And I’m not sure that at 25 I’m ready to go. Never say never, but at this point I would like to move more towards management.
– And yet, if “never” happens and you become a coach, would you like to have such a gymnast as Lilia Akhaimova?
– It’s hard to say, because my character is clearly not a gift (laughs). Lots of coaches swore and argued with me, many were over sporting interest. But, if I was a coach, I would like to work with a gymnast who always goes for her goal, despite very big problems, quarrels and injuries. Even when I said I was ending my career, I still came to the gym and worked out.
– Having come a long way in gymnastics and winning major titles already as an adult, what do you think of the increasing age of figure skating? Don’t you think it also makes sense to do this in gymnastics?
– As we have a very early sport, it seems to me that there will be problems with this. Everyone goes through puberty differently and after that there are very few gymnasts left. I think such a step will be a big change, and I don’t know how gymnastics will deal with it. You can switch to the adult platform from the age of 16. Maybe I would increase it for a year – up to 17. But in any case, this is the period when girls are growing up, and it will be difficult.
How did you go through this period?
– There was a lot of everything – both injuries and weight problems. I was called to training camp, then they stopped, I was re-selected for the national team. The period was difficult, and I like the fact that at a more conscious age I understood better what I wanted, knew my goal. Young girls do not always clearly understand what to do and how to behave in certain situations, how to prepare properly.
– How did you manage to find the strength to prove that you deserve the right to return to the national team?
– For two years, at each championship and at the Russian Cup, that is, four starts in two years, I tried to qualify, diligently prepared in St. Petersburg, tried, came out to perform . But at first I became seventh, then I approached fourth place, and only from the fourth time I managed to win. This trip lasted two years. It was hard, you come to competitions and every time you don’t get what you expect.
You didn’t get what they expected because they weren’t ready? Or because the judges didn’t give you the marks you deserved?
– First of all, the name also probably affects. However, when the national team comes out, it’s different. Second, I was, of course, missing the working class. I had some kind of program, but the class was not enough to compete with the girls who were on the national team. Therefore, I had to organize this course somehow at home, on my own. I’m not a super textured gymnast with perfect legs. All of this was achieved through hard work, dedication, with the help of coaches and other people. Initially, I was not such a textured gymnast and could not compete at the national team level.
– Now that you already have a name, will you come back if it becomes clear that Russia is liberated and pursuing an international career is possible?
– I will start from the state of health and the inner desire.
Source : MatchTV
