Anna Rizatdinova is the Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medalist in Rhythmic Gymnastics, a two-time World All-around medalist and a two-time and All-around bronze medalist in European Championships. Her book is the real story of an elite athlete from her chilhood as a gymnasts to the Olympic Games in Rio the Janeiro.
Rizatdinova explained that life as a professional sportswoman is not as easy as it looks:
“My life was only focused in rhythmic gymnastics. My body and mind was all about sports. It is very difficult to be always ready to compete. I remember I had really difficult times.”
In 2014, Ukraine was involved in a political ongoing war. Despite of internal and external difficulties she continued her work and devotion to her dream.
“It is very difficult to prepare: both mentally and physically. I think that this time I will be very fit for this competition. We could not almost train in January and February 2014 due to political situation in Kiev.”
She opens up in an honest conversation with readers, revealing the backstage of Rhythmic Gymnastics and breaking common stereotypes of elite sport.
“In Olympic Games in Rio, the most emotional moment was when I was standing on the podium realizing my dream has come true.”
This book is a good advice both for parents and children throughout a sport. She talks about her experience as a gymnast, weight loss problems, mental breakdown, pre-competition stress, how to act under pressure and how to achieve your goal. On her book you can follow her career since her early life in Crimea to her top competition, the Olympic Games .
Anna said that after she left the sport, she started traveling, meeting friends and communicate with her parents.
“Many athletes have had an experience of depression on this background. You give up all of you into business, there is nothing but sport in life, because it requires full dedication and self-sacrifice. You have to fencing off yourself from friends and family, give up weekends and vacations. And when the sport ends, you ask yourself the question “What is my meaning in life now?” Such a question was in front of me. The dream came true. Where to go next?”
Anna said that after she left the sport, she started traveling, meeting friends and communicate with her parents.
Her great desire is my first secret. The recipe for her success was not in talent in the sense of data from nature. She described herself as an ordinary girl with short and slightly plump legs. At first she dreamed of joining the National Team, then of becoming the best in the national team, and then – the best in the world. She constantly set great goals: you should never give up.
Anna’s book is available in two languages in paper and Kindle version:
Shopping links (Amazon)
USA – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9SG2469
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C9SG2469
Germany – https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C9SG2469
France – https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0C9SG2469
Spain – https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0C9SG2469
Italy – https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0C9SG2469
Netherlands – https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0C9SG2469
Poland – https://www.amazon.pl/dp/B0C9SG2469
Sweden – https://www.amazon.se/dp/B0C9SG2469
Canada – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C9SG2469