Sabina Zaitseva: Whole nation will support us

By Amina Nazarli

Trampolining is one of the six gymnastic disciplines included in the inaugural European Games. Individually and synchronized – that’s how the best trampolinists of Europe will perform this summer in Baku.

Two male and two female gymnasts, who will compete for four sets of medals will represent Azerbaijan in this discipline.

One of the possible participants of the games is Sabina Zaitseva who talked to the Press Service of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation about what European Games means for her and how she got involved in sport and much more.

Question: Tell us how you got involved in gymnastics. Why did you choose this sport?

Sabina: Originally, I chose rhythmic gymnastics, but my brother's birth did not allow me to go to school on the other side of the town. So, we chose the closest destination. And this was a trampolining school.

Q: Could you have a good performance in other sports?

S: My aunt used to predict our fate given the date and time of our birth. So, she told my mother to send me to the sport school. She said, "This girl must be an athlete. Her date of birth is Olympic”. So, I think that I would be successful in other fields as well (laughing).

Q: How do you deal with the emotions on the competition day? Are there any special secrets for self-control?

S: With great difficulty, to be honest. Despite my huge experiences, each time is like it is the first time. And there is no secret. I always come on the trampoline thinking that it will be what it should to be, and what shouldn’t be will never happen. Don’t be nervous."

Q: What do you think is the most important thing in any sport?

S: Character. Without character, it is impossible. Only those having hard-nosed character can achieve good results. People, who have a strong will, goal, and an overwhelming desire to get what they want, will get something over the years. Sure, hardworking is included in this list.

Q: How dangerous is it to be engaged in a professional sport or it depends on the sport?

S: Each sport is dangerous in its own way. I don’t consider trampolining as a dangerous sport. There are just some unsuccessful jumps, which causes consequences.

Q: Do you have a sport's idol?

S: No idol. There are eminent sportsmen whom I admire with. Just such athletes as biathlete from Belarus - Darya Domracheva, she can not be overlooked. To be a hero of your country - it's worth it.

Q: What are your plans for near future?

S: I do not like to plan, as I have already mentioned. It will be what it should to be. So far, my most important objective is the 2015 European Games. Then I will look at the circumstances. Of course, the license world championship is also very intriguing.

A: What does European Games mean for you and how do you prepare for them?

S: Now – it’s 2015 EG. It is everything for me. My dream, my food, my life. Each hour I am thinking about the significance of these events. The whole city, the whole country is preparing for them. In stores, schools, everywhere people wish us good luck. I already feel how we will be supported by the whole nation.

Q: If you stay a little bit away from the sport, do you have any aspirations or dreams that you want to implement?

S: Sure. I really love the process of organizing, so I seriously think about my own managing studio.

Q: Are you able to combine sport with your normal life?

S: I have spent my life on sport. It is my everyday life. I cannot imagine how it is to live differently. Yet, sports and everyday life - they are different worlds, and each of them is beautiful in its own way.

Q: Tell us about your family?

S: It is a normal family. Family where the parents have been giving their children everything we need in our life. Unfortunately, my parents do not live together, but this does not prevent us to spend all the holidays together. They are my fortress.

Q: Do you have a loved one?

S: Sure. My closest man and my best friend who supports and loves me- Alexander. Thanks to him, good things are happening in my life.

Q: What do your fans usually shout, and want do you want to hear from them?

S: I never thought about it, and, honestly, when you concentrate on the performance it is impossible to hear and see what is happening around me.

Q: What would you like to tell them?

S: Thank you for being there! Belief in yourself is sometimes blind, but faith in others - never!