– Tell me, how did you come to rhythmic gymnastics, how did your professional career begin?
When I was three, my parents took me to the gym. It was brought by hand. The coach appreciated my natural data, everyone liked me. Since childhood I had a good stretch, my data was suitable for rhythmic gymnastics. Since then, for 17 years, I have spent most of my life in the gym.
When did you realize that gymnastics was an integral part of your life?
– From the age of six, I began to participate in important competitions for this age. When I was ten, I was invited to train at the Olympic Training Center in Moscow. From that moment, my professional journey began. Since childhood, I take gymnastics seriously. I remember other kids in the group crying and not wanting to go to practice. I, on the contrary, begged my parents to take me to the gymnasium as soon as possible. From the beginning to the end of my career, I was passionate about gymnastics.
– All gymnasts of the Russian national team have a history of acquaintance with Wiener. What was your first meeting with Irina Aleksandrovna?
– Our very first meeting took place during the competitions. I ran to Irina Alexandrovna for an autograph, we took a photo. And this photo of us together is from my house, I looked at it and dreamed of training under Wiener.
At the age of 17 I was invited to a screening in Novogorsk, then Irina Aleksandrovna selected gymnasts for a group exercise. From the second team, I was put in the first, I had a training session under the supervision of Viner. She looked at me carefully, and at the end she said, “This one can.” So I started playing for the national team.
– What is your relationship with Wiener now?
We are on good terms. Always in touch. I can call him and ask his advice. Irina Alexandrovna never leaves her students after the end of her professional career. I thank her for everything she has done for me.
– In gymnastics, as in all professional sports, sometimes the most important things happen behind the scenes. What funny story do you remember?
– I can tell you a funny incident from training camp. We lived in Crimea, in Alushta. At 5:30 am, after a morning run, we got on the bus and went to the sea.
On the bus I decided to rest, closed my eyes and fell asleep, and when I woke up I realized that I was alone in the cabin with the driver. The girls got off the bus half an hour ago and they forgot about me. I tearfully asked the driver to take me back. At that time, the girls were already training at sea and did not understand what was happening, where Stubailo, the loudest person in the company, was.
I was hit by the coach, she thought I had overslept. But when I explained the situation, we all laughed. This story is remembered by everyone and forever.
– What can you say about the current situation in which our athletes find themselves?
– I was lucky, I jumped in the last car. At the World Championships in Baku, we had the honor of playing with the flag and the anthem. I have always believed that the expression “sport outside politics” has a certain power. But, as it turned out, this is not so.
– How can athletes exist under sanctions?
– I understand that the goal of every gymnast is to perform on the international stage. And if there are no such tournaments, then everything becomes meaningless. I would like to believe that this situation will become an additional motivation for Russian athletes. This is when Russian athletes have to prove that we are always and everywhere in good shape. Without the Russians, any competition loses its sporting utility.
– Which tournament was the most brilliant of your career for you? I can assume it’s the world championship in Baku.
– Yes, that’s correct. I repeat, we played under the flag, sang the anthem on the podium, became absolute world champions. At that time, I was the youngest gymnast in the team, Olympic champions stood next to me. Irina Alexandrovna gave me the chance to play with them.
The world championship in Baku has become a great step in my professional career. Then I continued to prepare for the Olympics, but they were postponed due to the pandemic, plus I had two surgeries. Everything went so well that I ended up playing.
– Most gymnasts after the end of their career become coaches. Did you have such an idea?
– Sure. But I was in some confusion, I didn’t understand what to do next. I was offered to become a trainer, but admitted to myself that I was not ready to be in the gym 24/7. I wanted to try something new, while being related to sports.
– We are used to the fact that gymnastics is a strict dietary restriction. But Averina’s sisters repeatedly said that they ate everything. How have you been with your diets?
– I got lucky with that. The girls called me a witchlaughing).
But these are genes. I haven’t been on debilitating diets like some girls who manage to not eat and then exercise for 15 hours. I have always taken care of myself: I have improved – I eat less. When she finished her career, she took a little extra and had to get in shape. Now, on the contrary, I entered less weight than I had in sports.
– You are like Yana Kudryavtseva, who now looks thinner and louder than in sports.
Yes, it’s a shock! How can you look like this after two kids? !
– Are you still training?
I train both at home and indoors. I do non-exhausting workouts, but I can’t imagine my life without sports.
– I imagine the reaction of visitors when you enter the hall, then sit on the splits.
— Yes, but I try to go into the room when there are fewer people.
– How did you get the idea to try yourself as a television presenter?
– Once I came to visit Irina Alexandrovna in Novogorsk. She looked at me and said, “Angelica, you should be in the TV business, I see you there.” I followed his advice.
– How did you get on ?
– has always been my favorite sports channel. I saw an advertisement for the Match Academy. I understood that it was my chance. I applied, shot a video business card, and a few days later I received an invitation to study.
From the first lesson, I realized that sports television belonged to me. Three months of study flew by. After that I had a news check taping, and after that I was invited to .
How was your first broadcast? What kind of reaction have you received from your colleagues and relatives?
– I remember the first show, it was supposed to be live. I prepared for a long time, I did diction exercises. During the makeup they approached me and said there would be a recording.
We taped the show quickly. Thank you to the whole team, everyone supported me, helped me in my work. The air was passing at night, I did not sleep, I watched. By the way, Dmitry Guberniev was one of the first to approach me, congratulated me, said that he liked it. It was great. I’m a self-critical person, I always watch the shows, I work on the mistakes and I know what I need to work on.
– Did you discuss with Irina Alexandrovna?
– Yes. Also, it is interesting that my first show was about rhythmic gymnastics, it contained an interview with Irina Aleksandrovna. It was as if she was present next to me.
Do you now feel confident in the frame?
– No, not sure. There is a slight tremor. These sensations are similar to those you feel before stepping onto the gym mat. In the process of work, I no longer think about any excitement, but just enjoy it.
I saw you had a new haircut. Was it a shame to say goodbye to your hair?
– I had a haircut between shows. On the first I had long hair, and on the second I had short hair. I got my hair cut in the dressing room. Seems like more social media followers were unhappy with my hair than me (laughing). I’ve never done anything with my hair, and now I’m wondering if I should dye my hair or cut it even shorter.
— Who are your favorite television journalists, who do you follow as an example in your work?
— I am the work of my colleagues. I have always been attracted by their appearance, their ability to improvise, to behave in front of the camera. I don’t want to point the finger at anyone in particular. I like professionals, and everyone on is like that.
What sports do you actively practice apart from rhythmic gymnastics?
I also practice figure skating. In gymnastics, I never had an idol. But in figure skating, there is Yuzuru Hanyu. Unfortunately, he has just retired. When I watched his performances, it seemed to me that we had a similar energy.
Do you also like the Winnie the Pooh plush?
– Can you say that.
Now I try to dive into the world of football. For me it is very difficult, but not as hopeless as before.
Source : MatchTV
