Molodezh Moldova. January 9, 1982. A magical world of movement, a flight of imagination, and technical perfection - this is how modern gymnastics appears before us today. Champions move on, and a new generation of young talents rises to take their place. The invaluable experience of the older generation is passed down like a baton - from one athlete to another, from one coach to the next - enriched along the way by bold new ideas and fresh discoveries. Indeed, the work of a goach is inestimable. Yet, it is certainly beyond the power of any single individual to mold a young athlete into a true master of elite gymnastics. Only by working in concert with a choreographer and an accompanist - all approaching their craft with creative vision - can truly high levels of achievement be attained.
This is precisely how the entire staff of the Republican Sports Boarding School - specifically its gymnastics department, led by senior coach L. Demyanchenko - works together as a team. It was here that Olympic champion Stella Zakharova began her journey, and it is here that the current contenders for the title of the country's strongest gymnasts have emerged: sixth-graders Regina Starodub and Tanya Kim - the latter of whom was very recently awarded the title of Master of Sports International Class.
When I entered the gym, the gymnasts' evening training session was drawiing to a close.
But when the final chords rang out, the girls - having thanked the choreographerand the accompanist - raced off to the coaches' room. It was there that I met T. Kim and asked her to answer a few questions.
Q: How many years have you been doing gymnastics, Tanya?
A: Six years. At first, admittedly, I wanted to quit: after the very first workout, every muscle in my body ached. However, I gradually got into the swing of things, and now I can no longer imagine my life without this sport.
Q: Which All-Union and international tournaments did you participate in during 1981? Which of them do you remember most vividly?
A: My first major competition was the traditional tournament for the Moscow News newspaper prize. (It is sometimes referred to as the "Hopes and Discoveries" tournament, as it features the country's youngest, up-and-coming gymnasts.) At this event, I competed as a member of the national "B" squad and, all in all, performed quite well. This tournament also remains memorable to me because it was there that I first met the renowned Soviet gymnast - a world and Olympic champion - Nellie Kim, who wished me great success.
But what I remember most vividly is the international tournament in Japan. There, I won two gold medals: in the floor exercise and on the balance beam. I also took part in the traditional match between gymnasts from the USSR and the GDR, where I took first place in both the all-around competition and the floor exercise. Subsequently, I triumphed in the all-around, the uneven bars, and the floor exercise at the 16th All-Union Schoolchildrens' Spartakiad - the USSR youth championship held for the Komsomolskaya Pravda Cup. In short, many of last year's competitions turned out very successfuolly for me - a success for which, of course, considerable credit is due to my coach, L. Demyanchenko; my acrobatics coach A. Ivanov; and my choreographer, L. Robu.
Q: Besides gymnastics, what else are you interested in?
A: I really love reading and sewing.
Q: So, who are you friends with?
A: At the sports school, I get along with all the girls. However, I have the very best relationship with Regina Starodub. We are always together - whether at training camps or at competitions. Regina is not only a close friend of mine but also my main rival. Yes, of course, this has absolutely no bearing on our relationship.
Q: Which gymnast do you want to be like?
A: I look to Lyudmila Turischeva for her composure, to Olga Korbut for her boldness and courage, and to Nellie Kim for her self-confidence. In addition, I greatly admire East German gymnast Maxi Gnauck, who managed to win three gold medals at the last world championships. However, to achieve that same level of success, I must work very hard.
Q: How do you evaluate your successes from last year?
A: The year 1981 was particularly successful for me. I was selected for the national youth team. Furthermore, I earned the title of Master of Sport International Class. In short, I managed to achieve a great deal in 1981; however, this certainly does not mean I can rest on my laurels - after all, new All-Union and international tournaments lie ahead.
Q: And what are your plans for this year?
A: I hesitate to count my chickens before they hatch, but my primary goal is to make the national team's main squad, compete in the European and world championships, and participate in the next Olympic Games. As you can see, I have ambitious plans - but I believe they are well within my power to achieve.
E. GLOTOVA, republican-category judge