Interview with a student of the Faculty of Sports and Arts of Samarkand State University Nuriniso Usmanova, 3-time Asian champion in rhythmic gymnastics, member of the national team of Uzbekistan, winner of the Zulfiya State Prize

    - Why did you choose rhythmic gymnastics?

    - Rhythmic gymnastics is the most suitable, convenient and useful for girls. I have had a great interest in this sport since childhood. I have been doing rhythmic gymnastics since the age of four. What I have achieved today is primarily due to my parents, my teacher Elena Aslanova, and the role of Samarkand State University, where I study.

    The role of Samarkand State University is extremely important in my current success. Since I work as a coach, I need experience and theoretical knowledge in order to apply the methods of teaching children sports, to know where to start in teaching. In addition, the achievements of other athletes of our faculty motivate me to always strive for new achievements.

    Under the guidance of Elena Aslanova, I have achieved a number of achievements. For seven years in a row, she took pride of place in the regional championship. Twenty times won the championship of Uzbekistan.

    - What is your most memorable victory?

    - In fact, every victory is memorable and valuable for me. I first won the title of the champion of Uzbekistan, then the champion of Asia, won a silver medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games. In 2020, by the decision of the Respected President, I was awarded the Zulfiya State Prize. This event was marked as an important victory in my life.

    How do you accept defeat?

    - Of course, it hurts, but there is no way to admit it.

    - What is sport for you?

    - Sport for me is life! And the path to success, leading to the ranks of the strongest.

    - Have you ever thought about quitting the sport?

    - At the age of 13 I participated in youth competitions. But I didn't get the success I expected. At that time, I was upset with myself and wanted to quit the sport. Having collected everything and walked for two weeks at home, I realized that I can’t do anything without sports. Then I managed to overcome depression with patience.

    I got into a similar situation after I returned from participating in the 2019 World Championship in Bulgaria. I have completely cooled off from the sport. Even the gym I worked at seemed bad to me. For the next few months, I barely exercised. But, as they say, "Time heals everything", after a while she returned to her beloved profession.

    - What sport can give a person?

    - First of all, discipline, behavior and a beautiful figure.

    - Do you have a dream?

    - I realized almost all my dreams in sports. In addition to participating in the Olympics...

    - Do you think it is important for a woman to be famous?

    "Yes, for me. Because behind every popularity is being the best and the strongest in that field.

    - How do you think, how much rhythmic gymnastics is developing in Uzbekistan today?

    - In the last two or three years, a number of important works have been carried out in our country to develop rhythmic gymnastics. Competitions with new prizes are organized every season. All conditions are sufficient for gymnasts.

    Based on the conditions of the city of Samarkand, it would be good if additional training halls were built for the gymnasts. Because every year the number of people who want to do gymnastics increases. The reason is that this sport is a healthy and safe sport for children from kindergarten age. Many parents prefer to send their children to gymnastics than to wrestling, boxing and similar sports.

    - What are your plans for the future?

    - Now my main goal is to educate girls who are artists like me. Students follow in the footsteps of their teachers. Therefore, I always try to be a coach worthy of the trust of my students. At the moment I have over twenty students. There are many winners of regional and republican championships among them.

    - From whom do you get the necessary motivation for your activities?

    - First of all, from myself, then from my mother and teacher.

    - What advice and recommendations would you give to future gymnasts?

    - First of all, you need to move towards the goal without stopping. Young athletes have a high sense of self-confidence and therefore firmly believe that they will definitely win when they compete. If they do not achieve the desired results, they suddenly become depressed. In such a situation, you need to quickly recover, move again and continue to believe in yourself.

    -At what age can parents send their children to rhythmic gymnastics?

    - As I said above, gymnastics is an extremely useful sport for girls. Children can study from 3-4 years old.

Samarkand State University

Information Service Officer

Interviewed by Iroda Bekmurodova