“The coach said: ‘She didn’t drown, I’ll take her.'” Bakhtyreva about starting a career in synchronized swimming

Anastasia Bakhtyreva is a member of the Russian synchronized swimming team, which was completely renewed after the Tokyo Olympics. spoke with the athlete about missing the Olympics, his motivation, his love for capybaras and the difficult selection for the team.

— How did you get into synchronized swimming?

“I started swimming in the sea when I was one year old; my parents always wondered why I was constantly swimming. I was first sent on a regular trip. When I was seven years old, we were told: “Stop taking first places here, go to a sports school.” »

They sent me there, but it turned out to be a synchronized swimming section. So I did my first training without clips, without a normal synchronized swimming leotard. I go out and think: something is wrong, the girls are already raising their legs, doing somersaults, but I was not taught that. The coach asked, “Don’t you know how to do it?” That’s how it all happened. After four hours of training, the coach came to my mother and said: “She didn’t drown, I’ll take her.” » But I didn’t want to stay there. Mom asked me what I wanted most, I answered: a doll. They bought it for me and so I stayed in synchronized swimming.

— During this process, did you want to change sports?

— At that time, I was already doing taekwondo and I was going to music school. So there was plenty of choice. In taekwondo, I was even called up to the national team at the age of 13. But I loved activities in the water, and what’s more, I really loved music, all of which led me to choose synchronized swimming. But I am grateful to taekwondo, it gave me perseverance and character, which are fundamentally necessary in sport.

— How did your selection for the first team go?

— After the European Junior Championships, we had a vacation. I went on vacation, but then the coach called and told me that I had to go to the training camp, where there would be a selection for the first team. I am very far from Moscow, two weeks before the selection. I started preparing hard. But everything went wrong; at the time of selection, my temperature rose to 38.2. I was upset, of course. During the selection process, I decided to modify the prepared program for a more complex program. I was worried, but in the end they told me that I was included in the national team for the first qualifying stage.

— After the first training with the main team, did you want to run away?

— When Tatyana Nikolaevna (Pokrovskaya) arrived, my heart sank; I had to show the head coach everything I could do. This became difficult when they started learning the program, when the first runs began. It wasn’t easy, but I admired how she explained everything clearly and precisely.

— Have you had problems with being overweight?

– I don’t have any. We all take care of ourselves. There is no weighing, everything is based on trust, everyone understands everything themselves. And it is difficult for us to gain weight; training in the water is very active. In the water, with this load, and even under the new rules, you lose weight, whether you want it or not.

— We now talk more about feeling unwell after the programs. Under the new rules, we have less and less time to breathe. How are you coping? And which of your programs is the most difficult?

— The hardest and most favorite is “Parade of Planets”. This requires perfect coordination and impeccable synchronicity. Our new technical program is essentially synchronized swimming for survival. We are preparing it now.

— What sport do you watch?

— I follow figure skating, I communicate with Sasha Trusova, Sonya Samodelkina and Liza Shanaeva. I also watch rhythmic gymnastics. I wish them strength and patience before each departure.

— Have you watched the Olympic Games, at least the highlights?

— I looked at the results, but it can be said that we did not particularly discuss these programs. Of course, it’s painful and disappointing to miss the Olympics, because it’s our dream. Let’s hope for the best. We are strong, we hope to be able to participate in international competitions.

— Did you want to change your citizenship for the good of the Olympic Games?

– It didn’t exist. I grew up here, I will always fight for our team to be at its best.

— What do you do in your free time?

– Something that allows you to relax and recharge your batteries. For example, I practice wakeboarding – a fascinating sport that brings a lot of positive emotions and allows you to feel freedom on the water.

I love animals. I have a great interest in capybaras. These cute creatures won my heart with their calmness and friendly character. I know that a cafe with capybaras will soon open in Moscow, I really want to go there.

— Few people know the synchronized swimmers of the new training. Aren’t you afraid that if there are no international competitions, this will continue to happen?

—Everyone wants attention, but we are now completely focused on working on the programs. We reached the first team, which is very prestigious. Competitions are organized for us. Let’s see what happens next, we hope the situation will change and more people will recognize us.

I’m quite offended that not many people know about synchronized swimming as a sport. It is very beautiful and interesting. Synchronized swimming lacks sponsors and events to expand its audience. I would like it to be more popularized in mainstream schools. I would like there to be more departures and shows that would be broadcast on federal channels. This is the only way to increase the popularity of synchronized swimming.

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