(English) Mariya Kobets Interview

Mariya Kobets Interview

1. How did you get involved in gymnastics?

Coach Avarvare Dumitru from “Triumf Bucharest” Club come into my school and selected me. Since the first day I have been in love of gymnastics.

2. Do you think that your childhood was sacrificed or do you believe that you live it as intense as any other child but in a different way?

Different way, that is true…

3. Did you have any friends in gym? And who was your closest friend as a gymnast?

I have a lot of friends from all over the world, and I have a lot of good friends, I don’t want to forget someone that’s why I don’t give you names.

4. How do you enjoy your free time? For example, how do you use to celebrate a birthday of a teammate?

For birthdays usually we go out to restaurants or clubs. I spend my free time doing everything else beside gymnastics: go out; watching movies; reading; playing different sports; driving cars; motors; dreaming; loving; laughing; fishing; barbeque…and so on.

5. What’s your typical day like?

Today is Monday: wake up at 8.30 ,wash my face with cold water to really wake me upJ, I writing you the email, watch news, maybe a coffee (not every day), go training 9.30 till 12.00 (warm up, 3 apparatus: floor, pommel horse, high bar; and after work out my muscle and flexibility); I go eating around 13.00, do different duties, runarounds, rest; go second training from 16.00 till 18.30 (warm up, 3 apparatus: vault, parallel bars, rings; and after work out my muscle and flexibility); go eating around 19.00, spend time with my wife, family, friends, sometimes working and planning strategies for the future: family, carrier, life, dreams…

6. What was the most memorable moment of your career?

Those are the most memorable and the most important and key moments of my entire carrier so far: In 1994 when I was promoted to Romanian national Olympic team junior; in 1996 I was promoted because of Nicusor Pascu at senior Olympic team; Romanian nationals I win 8 + 8 gold medals (record for Romania) in 1996 and 1997 won everything(team,all around. and 6 events); in 1998 at European Championship junior in Sankt Petersburg I won 4 medals my first European; in 2001 my first medal and double medal at World Championship in Ghent 2 gold medal floor and vault (record for Romania); in 2002 I receive the international Hall of Fame award (best gymnast in the world); in 2004 at European Championship in Ljubljana when I won 4 gold medals (record for Romania); in 2009 at World Championship in London when I come back from retire and won 2 gold medals floor and vault.

7. If you have known up front exactly how many sacrifices are involved by a professional gymnast, would you have still chosen this sport?

Well, I already know a successful path, why should I go the other way?

8. Someday, in the future, if this will apply to you, would you allow your own kids to practice gymnastics at a professional level?

They will do whatever likes more.

9. How do you see the current status of the gymnastics in your country?

Will survive the crisis.

10. If you have to be thankful to someone for who you are today, who would be that person?

It’s difficult, they wore many, and God above all

11. What advice can you give us on staying in peak shape both physically and mentally and achieve our personal best?

Just do it, never give up.

12. Do you have any regrets?

There is more satisfactions than regrets so I focus about winning all till retire moment.