Let’s cut to the chase. In June, Lilly was sailing in Budapest after suffering from covid. But this does not at all cancel the question of the level of women’s breaststroke at the World Championships – Yulia Efimova confirmed this in an interview, and certainly does not cancel Chikunova’s 2 minutes 20.41 seconds in Kazan. By the way, after the Olympics, Zhenya was sick with covid twice.
In short: Chikunova is cool.
Well, if you missed everything that happened in the Russian women’s breaststroke, starting with the selection for the World Championships in Gwangju, we explain to you in detail: Chikunova is one of the “early” breaststrokers who count on a long career. She has already swum internally faster than Efimova, and several times at the Tokyo Games Zhenya has finished fourth twice, and that really hurts, considering the 0.04 seconds lost.
All this is behind. A new atmosphere, a new season and already an adult career in an adult body.
– In 2019, I was skinny, skinny. Now I have added kilograms, muscle mass, which is normal, because I have also grown since 2019. These changes are not some kind of super jumps, the technique has not changed much. Everything went well, and the weight was gaining smoothly, adjusting to it. The trainer and I follow the changes in weight, sometimes you have to deprive yourself of something so as not to see unwanted numbers on the scale.
Another change: Zhenya now calmly gives interviews.
– I just became calmer about all the comments. When I was younger, it seemed to me that it was better not to express my opinion, which, most likely, would be different from others. I acted on the principle: no interviews – no malicious comments. You don’t read the comments? But there will also be those who have a reasoned point of view, which I will analyze and reflect on – maybe they really said something or did something wrong. I listen to a reasoned point of view.
And, of course, she is eager to claim the first victory at world level. Chikunova is convinced that such a victory cannot be replaced by a prize.
– Winning the World Cup is an emotion. The goal of an athlete is to win the world championship or the Olympics. But the fact that we will have other competitions, and the fact that prizes are planned there, is good. And I think we should be grateful for the very support. What is important here is that we will be supported and that our work will be appreciated. A result is asked of us, and we try to show it, for which, in principle, we train.
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After Zhenya won the 200m in Kazan, in the studio with Dmitry Guberniev, she told how she felt about the current situation.
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– Honestly, after the morning result, I thought the time would be even faster. She walked for 2 minutes 19 seconds … She swam the last “fifty dollars” and accounted for this thing, the world record.
– Who sent a kiss after the finish line?
To all the fans who cheered me on. They helped a lot, it’s very motivating.
Where do you get your motivation from now?
– Motivates the time since the World Cup. I wanted to swim better and I swam.
Was this a pivotal moment for you?
– Yes. I was just preparing for this. And I mentally prepared myself for the nose blood to be ahead of those seconds.
– So that everything is clear for everyone?
– To understand who has been lost (Laughs). It felt like a goal to accomplish anyway.
– You once appeared under Yulia Efimova. How important is it for you to have a strong opponent nearby?
– Very important. But mentally, sometimes it’s easier to prepare [без этого]that the first place is not exorbitant. At the same time, when there is a strong opponent, you grow morally – it seemed unrealistic to overtake someone, but you took it, you overcame it, which means you can.
– What is important to you: a stick or a carrot?
– Certainly not a whip, although at times it is important that I am built.
What do you think about when you swim 200m breaststroke?
– For 200m you can fall behind, catch up and think about something. When I see that I’m winning, I often think about what I’m going to eat after two cents.
– What will it be today?
“I would like something bad. Fast food…
– Is it a shame to miss the World Cup?
– I did not watch the broadcasts, only the results in figures. Very disappointing. It is obvious. Already the fact that we did not go there, it is very disappointing. It didn’t work well for us. There are no words to describe how insulting and painful it is: such a start – and without our whole team.
– Do you discuss it in one way or another among yourselves?
We do not approach this subject to discuss it. Indeed, everyone understands, so it’s ugly…
Do you stay in touch with your opponents?
“I hardly speak to anyone. With Tatyana (Skoonmaker) – she supported me. I spoke with Lydia Jacobi, but it was before this whole situation, she said that she was expecting me at the World Championships. Did not work.
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Source : MatchTV
