Looking back on Riesa with … Revaz Gurgenidze (RUS)

The former World and European Champion and living legend of the acrobatics world was on hand in Riesa as a coach. UEG caught up with him after the Europeans to get his feedback.

Revaz Gurgenidze is well-known in the acro community as a passionate, knowledgeable and outspoken man. And he has the titles to back this up: multiple European and World Champion in mixed pair with first Anna Katchalova, then Tatiana Okulova and in 2013 and 2014 Marina Chernova.

After competing internationally from the World Age Group Competitions in 2001 until the 2014 World Championships Revaz is now focusing on coaching the Russia’s rich potential. He has the experience, the style and has been coaching for 10 years already, alongside his brother Timur and his father.

UEG: What was your general impression of these European Championships?

Gurgenidze: The impressions from the competition were absolutely super! I really liked the growing level of competition, the excitement and not knowing the winners until the last second. It was a very close battle in almost all categories. I am upset by the lack of men’s pairs in the 13 – 19 (junior) category. Russia sent 2 pairs and both went home without medals although they were excellent! [They competed out of competition because of lack of participants] Of course, this should not happen in our sport. I hope that at the next Championships medals in all categories will be awarded!

The atmosphere was fantastic, I really liked the speaker and the short preview of the previous performances of the gymnasts. The best for me personally was this arena where I won my first World Championships in 2002!

UEG: Which of your gymnasts showed the best performance?

Gurgenidze: Evidently the baton was passed on to my gymnasts: mixed pair 11 - 16 Dubovitskiy and Aksyonova placed first and the junior mixed pair Ivan Nesterenko and Elena Murashko won three gold medals!

UEG: How does it feel to be on the side-lines as a coach now, and not on the floor performing?

Gurgenidze: I was happy and worried perhaps more than I would for myself!))) I am a very emotional person so I watch their work on the floor carefully. But apparently I found the right words at the right moment! We are never afraid to make mistakes, it gives confidence – that’s how I inspire the kids!

About me – of course I sometimes want to return but when I see what Marina Chernova has reached with Georgiy Pataraya I understand that my decision wasn’t made in vain. I understand it was noble and right! They are unique and being part of this project (to advise the gymnasts) is a huge honour for me! Of course, such pair and such tricks can only be prepared by my father – it’s not only technique but also brains! We work with them with the whole family! This pair is the pride of the whole acrobatics community and I am convinced that we won’t see this level again any time soon. What else can I tell you … I didn’t like some of the pairs and women’s groups with excessive facial expressions in artistry – they should be given shoes and send to aerobics J But not without this, I think we must reach a critical point and then let technique and difficulty of the tricks come back in first place when a Championships is decided. I saw a small presentation about the new rules and I like them! Only, we rarely regard and take a long time taking new elements into circulation!

UEG: What will be the main focus for the Russian team preparing for World Championships?

Gurgenidze: Regarding World Championships, we are already preparing and we have an outstanding team!

UEG: What advice do you give to young gymnasts?

Gurgenidze: This is what I want to wish gymnasts: Be yourself, develop your best qualities! And avoid as much as possible to ‘copy – paste’!!! I lived and worked according to these principles, and I succeeded.

Thanks a lot Revaz! All the best!