Spotlight of #RGECh2019 on … Anastasia Salos (BLR)

Tomorrow the 35^th European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics kick off in the Azerbaijani capital Baku. For Anastasia Salos it means a return to the arena where she won her first ever World Cup title a few weeks ago. Let’s meet the Belarussian rising star!

UEG: Can you tell us something about yourself? 

Salos: I was born in Russia, in the city of Barnaul, where I started to practise sports. At the age of 11 I moved to live in Belarus, in Minsk, where I continued to go in for rhythmic gymnastics. About myself I can say that I have a difficult character with which I struggle. I always try to be cheerful and open. 

UEG: How and when did you start in Rhythmic Gymnastics?

Salos: I was a very active child and my mother decided to take me to some sports section. She chose rhythmic gymnastics. When I started practicing, I was 4 and a half years old, I really enjoyed doing gymnastics, I always looked forward to training. So, my love for this sport appeared. 

 

UEG: What do you like most about it? What’s the most difficult thing?

Salos: In gymnastics, I like the fact that incredible complexity can be combined with beauty, elegant movements and the expression of emotions.

UEG: How does a normal training day look like for you?

Salos: Every morning begins with a choreography lesson, then a small warm-up and work on the elements, only then we take the apparatus and begin to work out our exercises. For lunch there is a short break. The second training also begins with a warm-up, and then work with the apparatus continues until late evening. We dedicate the evening to recovery after training, study and rest. 

UEG: You recently won the gold with ribbon at the Baku World Cup. How did you experience that victory? What went through your head when you saw your score?

Salos: When I saw my score, I was surprised, because I hadn’t had such a high mark for the ribbon [before]. When I was called for the award ceremony, I did not know where I was and asked the coaches about it, and received the answer that I was the first. I was shocked and did not believe it. But it was like that. I was very glad, because the ribbon is considered one of the most difficult objects, and I managed to cope with it. 

UEG: Would you like to achieve in gymnastics? And in life in general?

Salos: Of course, the dream of every athlete is the Olympic Games. Raise the flag of your country. And I'm no exception. For this athletes train, give all their strength.

UEG: What are your hobbies / interests outside of gymnastics?

Salos: In my free time, I like to read books very much. Absolutely different genres: detectives, and novels, classics, etc. 

UEG: What are you most proud of in your life?

Salos: I am very glad that I can do what I love. And the fact that my relatives and friends support me in this.

 

Thank you Nastya! Good luck in Baku!