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01.07.07
Yana Shemyakina "I m proud of being Lviver"

Among Ukrainian fencing masters struggling for Olympic licenses, giving the right to participate in Olympic Games in Beijing, there is 21-year-old Lviver Yana Shemyakina. As the specialist think, she has some real chances to take part in Olympic tournament in a year.

 

- For any sportsman Olympic starts are one of the most important in their career. What do you think about this?

Since childhood I've been dreaming about Olympic Games. But for this dream to become a reality there must be done a lot. Complicated, of many months period is ahead, with eliminating contests, championships of Europe and World. Only after this, after tough competition the owners of Olympic licenses will be named. Together with my friends in combined team of Ukraine I seriously get ready for long lasting fencing marathon and I will do my best for successful performance. Though I understand it perfectly that it will be difficult for everyone.

 

- But for you, the champion of Europe in 2005 – Olympic license is not the final goal?

I'd say it this way, gaining the license is just the first part of my goal. The second part of it is worthy performance on Olympic way. But we should talk about this later, when the license becomes the reality. But I don't think that I will be satisfied with only participation in Olympiad.

 

- Who helps you on your way to your desired goal?

First of all, senior coach of competitive team of Ukraine in women epee, Reyzlin Dmytro Igorovych and my first and only coach Orlikovsky Andriy Viktorovych. I train with him since I'm 11. My family's support is also very important to me. I feel it in every part of the world, wherever I've been.

 

- Yana, following your eagerness and desire, with which you do your training, I really believe that your dream will come true for sure. And how did the way to the big sport begin? And why have you chosen fencing?

Frankly speaking, first I've chosen mounting skiing. But once I've broken my leg while going down the slope. Since then my mother banned skiing and doing sports at all. Having recovered, secretly I went with my friend to the fencing section, so that my mother didn't even know. Only in a week I told the parents about it. My new passion, weirdly, was approved by my mother. Since then there are no biggest fans than my mother, father and older brother and sister. And I have chosen the epee, because in our section at that time it was the only type of weapon. But today I do not have any regrets about what I've chosen. I also like dances. Though for example dzyu-do, which I've also tried to do, I didn't like and after the first training in the gym, I've forgotten about it.

 

- What is your principal dream in sport and despite it?

To be at Olympic podium, even better on its top step. And despite it – I'd like to have a happy family, husband, children, and to realize myself in it.

 

- Who are your idols in sport?

In fencing I really like Frenchwoman Lora Flessel. We are very alike in our performing. Talking about the representatives of other sports, I like Olympic champions: gymnast Liliya Podkopayeva and swimmer Yana Klochkova. Both of them are the legend personalities in sport, and Lilya performed very great not only in it. They are the pride of Ukraine and they are the great example to be followed by the others.

 

- Which tournament you remember the most and why?

Though my sports way is not very long, but there is a lot to remember. I remember cadet, junior and youth contests. They were not without losses, but there were more victories. After one of them – on the championship of the world among cadets – I started to treat fencing more serious and responsible. The greatest success was in adult championship in Europe in 2005, where I won the gold medal.  This was the most difficult and the most happy tournament for me.

 

- Do you remember your first call to combined team of Ukraine?

It is not possible to forget something like that! Having received the invitation to the main team of Ukraine, first, I've been confused. I came and turned out to be the youngest.  I want to thank older and experienced girls and coaches for friendliness and attention. In that atmosphere constrain and worries fade away, and the enormous wish appeared – to prove everyone that I can bring high results. And, of course, I've wanted so much to stay at combined team. For this I had to endow many things, to increase training loads, to go through multiple contests of different level. As the result of collective work – increase in results. Now, when I'm secured in the combined team and struggle for the chance to go to my first Olympiad, I gratefully bring back in my memory every person, who helped me to become a sportsman.

 

- What is your trump in performance – technical preparation, functional readiness, tactical feeling or something else?

Each of these components of mastership is very important for every fight and for success in the tournaments in particular. In every separate case something prevails. Only the leading fencers of the planet behold all these qualities totally and in complex. More often in this sport tall and long-hand-sportsmen are successful. As I'm not taller during the performance, I try to do everything using the speed and technical things. And talking about the advantages of my professionalism, I must name leg shot, curtsey. But, generally, there is a lot to work on.

 

- Don't your sports prevent you from studies?

No, though sometimes it is very hard. Having graduated from the sports boarding school, I entered Lviv University of Physical Training and Sport and I treat the studies there very responsible, just as the trainings. As all the other students, I go to the class studies, pass credits and exams. No relaxation is allowed. I study a lot all the time. I like literature, especially historical novels; I eagerly go to the cinema to see historical movies. But, nevertheless, the priority in my life now is given to my favorite business - fencing. There are neither powers, nor desires, nor time for something else. Sport life will be over very quickly and there is the wish to gain a lot. At the moment all my thoughts are about pre-Olympic tournaments: performance in Beijing is the nearest goal.

 

- It is vain to ask the Lviver, what is the most beloved and dear city? Am I right?

I've been somewhere in the world already, but still I haven't seen the city better then Lviv. I like its ancient beauty, cordiality of local inhabitants and I always strive to come back to the Lev's city. There is my family, my friends, by beloved fencing hall, which many years ago opened for me the charming world of sport. I like Lviv very much and I'm proud of being born and living there.

27.07.07 - This is how the stars come out
17.07.07 - ROMAN SADOROZHNY: "Just the real participation in the World fencing championship will show what our national team capable of"
01.07.07 - Yana Shemyakina "I m proud of being Lviver"
26.06.07 - Targeting at Beijing