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27.07.07
This is how the stars come out

Neither age, nor mastership stays on the way of 17-year-old Lviver, Olga Zadorozhnya, to become the member of Ukrainian Olympic combined team for the Games of 2008. But there are lots of other competitions before that. These competitions and, in particular, the Olympic Games of 2012 in London, are the contemporary dreams for the talented fencer, vice-champion of Europe among juniors in 2007.

- Olga, are you going to be disappointed, if you do not go to the games in Beijing?
No. I'm self-critical enough, and I do understand that I may be not ready enough for the competition of that range. My compatriot and older friend in the national combined team, nevertheless, has some nice chances to be at Olympic Games in the capital of China in one year. I frankly wish her luck in Olympic license attaining. As for me, I'll do my best to become the participant of the next Olympiad in London.

- The way to Olympus is hard and thorny. Not everyone is able to overcome this one. Can you handle this?
I've come to the gym, when I was in preschool age. First, I tried gymnastics, but when I was 7, I've become interested in fencing. This is how I'm still in this sport; it has opened the whole world unknown to me before. Frankly speaking, everyday training and multiple competitions are too tiring sometimes, as in physical aspect, so in psychological one. But there is no other way to the necessary result. I've got used to such loadings. I'm ready, in case of necessity, together with the coaches to increase the quantity of loadings, with the aim to receive the desired ticket to Great Britain, where the next Olympic Games of 2012 will take place.

- Who assists you on this way?
First of all, my parents, as they also have been engaged in fencing in the past – my mother has been a talented foils woman, and my father – the fencer. They have always seen me in the sport. They are those, who have influenced my choice – the first and the only coach for me is still my father – Roman Ivanovych. And in combined team - Reizlin Dmytro Igorovych, wonderful tutor, works with me. I trust them both and I know that we will reach our target together.
 
- In this season you, Olga reached high results – you became the vice-champion of Europe among fencers. Do you remember your first victory in the contest?
Now it is hard to bring back in the memory when has it happened and who has been my competitor. I just remember that I've been barely 11 years old and the competition has taken place in Ternopil.

- Which victory on the tournament gave you the greatest joy?
In 2003 in Kyiv there was a popular tournament among the juniors called "Golden Gate". As of the age, I was one of the youngest among its participants. The start was not very good, and I was too nervous. My father supported me with everything he could, but everything was going the opposite way to our wishes. Except that, for the place in the top 8, I had to fence with very good and experienced fencer Kateryna Blokhina. Thanks to its tense and intrigue, as many experts and spectators say, it was one of the best duels. Before the fight the father said: "Olya, do your best to win. And the most important thing, try to impose Kateryna a tight struggle, press her". First, I was losing to my competitor, though I caught on every shot. Then I smoothed down the situation and at last won that duel. I felt an enormous rise, I had a feeling as if I had passed some barrier. The fact that some combinations in the fight with Kateryna appeared to be effective, which I couldn't use successfully during the trainings, inspired me a lot. As the result, in other duels there were many things that I could do. This brought me the victory in this tournament.
 
- By the way, your favorite tournament "Golden Gate" starts as a tradition in Kyiv at the beginning of September. How do you plan to perform on it?
I always joyfully take part in this tournament, as many years in a row it gathers the strongest young masters of fencing. This year the competitiveness shall be extremely sharp. My minimum task, set for me by my coaches, is to come up to the top 8. The maximum one – to win the tournament.
 
- What do you think lacks Olya Zadorozhnya to win more frequent and confident?
I think I lack a lot: techniques, physics, athletics, psychological preparation, skills to follow the tactics, settled by the coaches. In the other words, mastership and experience, which shall appear in some years. I also lack good internal organization. So, repeatedly when I lead in the account in the beginning of the fight, I unexpectedly lose concentration as if I turn my attention to something else, and weird curtain appears before my eyes. I start to miss unnecessary shots, and become nervous. This is when I have to calm down and gather my thoughts... It is not always that I can cope with this.
 
- The transfer from junior age to the adult one is very difficult for many sportsmen, and sometimes it takes a lot of time. Do you think this is about you?
I think, yes. My junior period will last long – something about three years. But to tell the truth I haven't thought about it yet. In few years I will certainly face this problem with all its importance. But, generally speaking, I'm confident in the thing that thanks to the assistance of my tutors, thanks to enormous work faced by me on the trainings and contests, "transition period" will be overcome by us successfully.
- How do studies and "great sport" do together?
This is where still there are no problems at all. The school studies have always been very easy for me, especially languages. Additionally, I've been studying English with the tutor very seriously almost for five years. I graduated from school with "excellent" marks and at the moment I'm entering Lviv Institute of Physical Training. I also dream about journalism. Nowadays, sports are the most important for me; it is very often that I have to go for the competitions. And the educational establishment, chosen by me, shall assist me in achievement of sport targets. Then, I think, there will be time to think about some other dream.
 
- Was the invitation to the combined team of Ukraine a surprise for you?
In some aspect – yes. This pleasant event happened in December last year. Having received the invitation, I went to the first gathering with excitement. The sharpest impression about it is the devotion of all the sportsmen during the training. And a friendly atmosphere as well. It is very pleasant to train in such highly qualified and friendly conditions. I really appreciate such relations and I'm happy that I can do my favorite business together with the best masters of fencing. The most important for me are the advice given by my older friends about my previous fights. Their opinion, while the mistakes that have taken place in some duel are debated, is very important for the preparation for the next competition. Combined team for me is the highest master-class.
 
- Who is your example in sport?
There are lots of such people in Ukraine: multiple champion in swimming Yana Klochkova, brothers-boxers Vitaliy and Volodymyr Klychko, figure skaters Olena Grushyna and Ruslan Goncharov, woman gymnast Liliya Pidkopayeva. And recently I've read the book about Sergiy Nazarovych Bubka, the President of National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. I was really impressed with what great person and outstanding sportsman he is! And how it is great that so many world known athletes received recognition and respect not only in spots, but also in other spheres of human activities – business, culture and social life. I'd like to reach that success as well.

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