Idman.biz
Anna Bashta is starting the new season with great hopes. The sabre fencer of the Azerbaijani national team continues her recovery process after the injury.
The European champion, silver medalist of the world championship and two-time Olympian spoke about her prospective plans in an interview with Idman.Biz.
- Anna, how are you, how is your health?
- Actually, my condition is much better compared to a few months ago. First of all, there is progress in terms of my emotional and physical condition, as well as rehabilitation after the injury. I'm slowly going up, and most importantly, I see the progress. Because there were times when I didn't feel any improvement and it affected me very badly, even broke me down in a certain sense. Now my emotional state has normalized, I'm enjoying the cold winter in St. Petersburg. -15 degrees is the only unpleasant thing, I'm tired of being cold (smiles).
- What are your expectations for the new season?
- In fencing, the season starts around October, immediately after the world championship. In this regard, the season has already started for us. I am planning my return for the spring months, more specifically for the summer. But I understand that it is necessary to follow the doctors' recommendations and I am not yet fully ready emotionally. A month and a half ago, I started fencing with children, and I clearly see the difference between when I first returned to training and how I feel now. Gradually all fears disappear, but there is still a long way to go to return to the world stage.
- Have you already decided which tournaments you will participate in?
- No national or international tournaments are planned. For this reason, it will be necessary to start directly from the World Cup, where the speed of fencing is very high. This requires a completely different level of preparation. Now the main thing for me is to return to the piste, to feel that atmosphere and adrenaline again.
- What are your goals for this year?
- There is still time for the Olympic qualification, so there is no need to rush. The main thing is to return with quality, not quickly, in order to prevent the injury from recurring. What is important for me now is the return, I don't want to set high goals and I don't think it's right. For example, saying that I'm going to the world championship for a medal would be inappropriate at this stage. I want a phased, calm return, and this is the most logical and optimal option.
- Have you been in contact with athletes who have been injured like you? Did their advice and support help you?
- Frankly, they helped me a lot. They talked about how they went through rehabilitation, what difficulties they faced, including psychological ones. Because sometimes a person's hands fall down. Athletes who have experienced similar injuries emphasize the importance of not rushing and gave me the stimulus to think. All this brought me back to reality. Now I am ready to share my experience. Because, in fact, they sewed me a new leg, no matter how bitter it sounds. I have to live with this reality. The leg still hurts and is not as flexible as before, but not much time has passed. The good thing is that there are no more restrictions on loading - everything is in the head.
- How have you spent the last few months in general?
- I trained and also went to rest. I observed a tendency that after a week of rest, thoughts change completely. You come back more energetic and feel very good during the preparation process. When working with a coach, it's like a power flow is created, you enjoy the work you do. In this way, I overcome negative moments and start to see the results of my hard work. There is very little left and I plan to go to the piste in a few months. I don't want to call that "X day" yet - the date is in my head, but anything can happen…
