Evgeniia Stepanova from Nevskaya Volna Club won her
third gold medal at the Masters Championships in Kazan. The diver who competes in the
75-79 age group conquered the springboard and platform.
The
athlete started diving together with her friends and won the USSR Championships
just a year later. The break lasted over 30 years during which she worked as a
trainer and became an engineer. In 1999 she went to perform in Innsbruck,
Austria thanks to some sponsor and earned gold in the 5m platform. The same year
she became gold again at the Open Championships in Finland. Since then the
unstoppable Team Russia representative has performed at many World and European
championships. The tournament in Kazan has appeared to be special in her
career. “You can’t let your country down at the domestic Championships,” stated
Evgeniia, starting her training ahead of the competitions.
- How
long have you been into diving?
- It
was 60 years ago when I started at the age of 15. It so happened that I chose
diving. I have performed as a Masters athlete for the 16th time since I turned
60. I know all the female athletes quite well.
- How
many medals are there in your collection?
- Many.
It becomes larger with every year. This time I decided to take my grandgrandson
to the Championships. (Her grandgrandson is twisting in his hands a bouquet of
flowers from the medal ceremony and proudly says his name.)
- Why
does diving attract you most?
- First
of all, it is my favourite hobby, it is part of my life. Executing dives at
this age, I want to show everyone, especially youngsters, that it is great when
you make the right choice and progress.
- Will
you dwell on your sporting career, please?
- Back
then when I was young I was twice a Soviet Union’s Champion. Then I took a
break, and now I am back. You know it’s great to be fit and well. It is
youngsters who approve and are interested in our achievements most.
- Do
you happen to practice much?
- Not
that much nowadays. About three hours twice a week at the gym and in the
swimming pool. Moreover, it takes me one or two hours more to get to the
swimming pool and back home.
- Today
you dived from the platform. Aren’t you scared of the height?
- At my
age I am not afraid anymore. I really wanted to compete because I knew from the
very beginning that I was kind of unbeatable, I was sure about claiming all the
three contested gold medals. And I am quite satisfied with my performance
today.
- Will
you continue to take part in competitions?
-
As far as I am healthy enough, I am going to keep on.
- Why
would you recommend young athletes to choose diving?
-
Diving comprises all necessary elements of success, such as courage,
persistence and, of course, physical training.
Press
Office for Organising Committee of 16th FINA World Championships
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