Idman.biz
Irina Zaretska holds the status of one of the strongest modern karate fighters. Yesterday, she won a bronze medal at the World Championship held in Cairo. This award is already her fifth medal in the main tournament of the year.
Irina Zaretska shared her thoughts with Idman.Biz about the medal she won in Egypt, the upcoming tournaments and her personal life.
- Irina, congratulations on your medal. After three consecutive victories at the World Championships, you have now won a bronze medal in Cairo. How important is this result for you?
- I am very happy. I am very proud of how I spent the crucial meeting with the Italian Silvia Semeraro. As you know, she is my old rival. The fight was very intense, there was no compromise, but I showed my strength.
- Did the failure to win a gold medal for the fourth time in a row cause you any frustration?
- I made a momentary mistake in the semi-final against the French woman Trisia Sombe. This mistake cost me the final and maybe something bigger. But on the last day, I showed that no one and nothing can stop me. This is not the end yet, there will definitely be a continuation.
- You celebrated your medal with your daughter. Tell me, to what extent has being a mother changed your career?
- Frankly, nothing has changed in terms of approach. It was a little difficult to return after maternity leave, but nothing is impossible. If you have a goal and understand how to achieve it, you just follow your dream. You make it happen.
- Can we say that being a mother has made you even stronger?
- Of course! Because now I know how to train when you are sleep-deprived and malnourished (smiles). But the little one is growing up, her sleep is already in order, and so is mine. All this affects the races. In Cairo, everyone saw that it is still very difficult to fight with me. And I will train more seriously than ever.
- What are your future plans?
- I won my fifth medal at the World Championships, but I don't intend to be satisfied with that. I have been in the status of the best of the best for ten years and I want to continue in the same spirit.
- You showed a strong performance in the autumn season: you won the CIS Games, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and won a bronze medal at the World Championship. Overall, are you satisfied with how everything is going?
- Yes, every start has its place, its special side. Karate remains my feeling and I am pleased that my career logically continues from year to year. There are new victories and achievements, and I better understand where to move forward.
Zaki Feyzullayev
